The Football v Homophobia (FvH) campaign has launched a small grants programme as part of its campaign for February 2014.

The programme offers grants of €300, in partnership with the Fare network, for supporter groups, grassroots clubs, community and LGBT organisations as part of the FvH period.

The fight for equal rights for the LGBT community in football has been given added drive in recent months with new laws in Russia, who will host the FIFA World Cup in 2018, and the situation in 2022 hosts Qatar who host in 2022.

Grants offer opportunity
The campaign is looking to reach out to European supporters and clubs. "We are asking European football clubs to give their support to FvH, these small grants can give fans groups a unique opportunity to make their message of inclusion visible in stadia" says Megan Worthing-Davies, Campaign Co-ordinator.

Football v Homophobia was launched in 2010. It provides a focused time throughout February every year during which everyone involved in football can take action on discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Last year was the campaigns biggest year, Director Lou Englefield explains, "During 2013 a growing number of professional clubs became involved in the campaign, and with the support of Fare we also engaged fans groups, grass roots players and community activists around the world through our Small Grants programme."

Piara Powar of the Fare network said, “LGBT equality is important for us all. Abuse and exclusion is an issue that we can all unite to work together to tackle as the many fan groups working on anti-homophobia issues already know.”

Applications open for the small grants programme today and will remain open until December 20th 2013. Applications can be made using a simple online form.