The LGBTI communities that we belong to are on average more economically disadvantaged than the rest of the population. We consider that this is linked to the discrimination we experience as LGBTQI people, and that it can vary greatly within our communities depending on our class background, our physical abilities, racism or any other discrimination that we may experience.
In order to take this situation into account, we try to ensure that the fees for the UEEH are as low as possible. And in the long term, our ideal would be to be able to offer gatherings based on free donations, without any financial pressure put on the participants.
But at the moment unfortunately we’re a long way from this goal, for several reasons:
• The lack of volunteers specifically trained in fundraising.
• The lack of energy in the organizing team, which has been greatly reduced by the pandemic and the cancellation of the last two gatherings
• The increased economic insecurity of the last few years, which has led many members of the organizing team to concentrate more on paid work.
• The decrease in subsidies received and increased prices of services
• The huge deficit (€20,000) that we had in the 2019 edition.
Because of this deficit it was already complicated to organize the 2022 edition, and if this deficit were to reoccur in 2023 we would most probably no longer be in a position to organize an event similar to the UEEH we are used to.
In practice, for this 2022 gathering we have been able to allocate €6,000 to fund financial accessibility for participants. This money allows participants who need it to choose reduced rates. To give an idea, with this money we can finance up to 48 Rate 1s or 92 Rate 2s. This year we have chosen not to limit the number of places available at reduced rates, but if we exceed these numbers without people choosing supporter rates we will be in deficit.
If you want to help us to better finance the affordability of the UEEH for the next years, you can :
• Join the organizing team to help looking for subsidies and organizing donation campaigns
• Organize events to support the UEEH throughout the year
• Contact people / groups / organizations and convince them to send us donations
• Help us find a place that can host the next UEEH in suitable conditions and that is less expensive than the high school in Vic-en-Bigorre.
Financial Self-determination
The principle of self-determination of fares set up by the UEEH aims to enable everyone to determine what they can pay according to their financial resources. The different fares proposed correspond to an attempt to find a balanced budget, considering the diversity in economic backgrounds in a society that does not allow equal access to resources for all.
The term "self-determination" has been chosen to emphasize the inalienable freedom of everyone to choose the fare that better suits to them without having to justify it.
The same principle applies to the food, where everyone is free to define their participation to the meals.
This principle is a political choice that has been taken within the UEEH, and comes from the will to counter socioeconomic inequalities and injustices, and not excluding anyone on a financial basis. This choice is also based on the understanding and adhesion of all participants to the principles of social and economic justice, and their honesty and responsibility while choosing their subscription fare.
Reduced fares
Reduced fares are based on the principle of solidarity and economic justice. Participants who do not have the resources to pay full fares can choose this. Since the UEEH do not take any benefit from this summer gathering, it is grants, donations and other kinds of economical support that fund this choice of financial solidarity.
This choice has considerable consequences on the association. It is based on the understanding of the logic of exclusion which is at work in today’s society, and on the desire not to repeat it. It also relies on the understanding of these principles and the responsibility of everyone while choosing their fare.
UEEH have a limited budget, which does not allow to handle all requests of reduced fares without being in deficit and thus compromising the event. The organizing team is always looking for solutions to this issue and is open to all proposals that can finance this policy of socioeconomic diversity.