Queer Culture Against Disinformation in the Eastern Partnership Countries
Art Project Lab 2025–2026
We connect and support queer artists.
Through art, we challenge stereotypes about LGBTQI*
Against the backdrop of political instability in the Eastern Partnership countries, LGBTQ+ communities are increasingly becoming targets of media manipulation and hostile rhetoric. At the same time, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Moldova have in recent years become new homes for many queer people from Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia — people seeking safety and freedom. Our response to the use of LGBTQ+ issues to divide societies is cultural resistance — built on mutual support and shared knowledge.
We launched a Lab bringing together artists, content creators, researchers, curators, and other cultural professionals whose creative work breaks stereotypes and helps build common ground to counter disinformation.
Created within the Lab
Documentary film “One”
The film tells the story of the person commonly referred to as “patient zero” — the first citizen of the USSR to be diagnosed with HIV.
Documentary film “One”
The film tells the story of the person commonly referred to as “patient zero” — the first citizen of the USSR to be diagnosed with HIV.
About the Lab
From 21 July to 24 August 2025, an open call was held. We received 84 applications, and with the support of a professional jury, 8 finalists were selected.
As a result of the selection process, a professional group of queer artists and cultural practitioners was formed, living in Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Germany, and Poland. The group also includes artists who have left Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia.
The Lab program includes regular online sessions, a five-day cultural exchange in Moldova, mentoring from experts, and funding of up to €5,000 for the implementation of each project.
Participants share experiences, provide peer support, develop joint strategies to counter disinformation and propaganda, and create and present new artistic works in their countries aimed at confronting anti-queer disinformation.
The Lab will culminate in a Cultural Festival in Berlin in November 2026, where the works created will be publicly presented.
The project is implemented by Quarteera e.V., with financial support from the German Federal Foreign Office through the programme “Expanding Cooperation with Civil Society in the Eastern Partnership Countries and Russia”.
Lab Timeline
July 21 – August 24, 2025 Application period
By September 5, 2025 Notification of shortlisted finalists
September 8–14, 2025 Interviews with finalists
By September 21, 2025 Announcement of participants and notification to all applicants
September 24–26, 2025 Online group introduction
8-12 ноября 2025 In-person international meeting in Moldova
October 2025 – October 2026 Project implementation
November 2025 – April 2026 Online workshops
November 2026 Cultural Festival in Berlin
If you have any questions, please contact us via queerekultur@quarteera.deQuarteera condemns the Russian war against Ukraine and all forms of aggression and discrimination.
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