Member Support
LEGATO is committed to ensuring that all member choirs can participate in our work and in the Various Voices Festival, especially those facing financial hardship or operating in countries where being LGBTQI+ is unsafe or socially unacceptable. Our Support Policy defines how assistance is offered fairly and transparently to choirs in need.
Choirs may receive support in several ways, depending on their country grouping and the nature of the event:
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Reduced membership fees for choirs in certain countries.
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Reduced fees for LEGATO events, such as the LEGATO Academy, for eligible members.
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Support through the Various Voices Festival, which offers financial assistance to choirs facing significant barriers — including those in countries where being LGBTQI+ is illegal or socially unacceptable.
How Support is Calculated
Support is based on criteria defined by two international benchmarks:
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ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Index
(assessing LGBTQI+ equality, rights, and safety across Europe) -
United Nations Human Development Index (HDI)
(measuring overall living conditions, including health, education, and income)
These two measures are combined to place each country into one of three support groups, which determine the level of financial assistance available.
You can view our Various Voices Support Policy here
LEGATO reviews the Support Policy after every Various Voices Festival. The next update will include additional information on Membership fee support.
If your choir is facing financial challenges and does not qualify for support in the below policy, please get in touch to discuss how we can support by emailing membership@legato-choirs.com
For other ways LEGATO can support your choir, visit our Get Involved page: Get Involved
Group 2
Partial support
May include reduced fees, lower accommodation costs, or priority access to host housing.
Estonia, Czech Republic, Greece, Poland, Lithuania, Portugal, Latvia, Andorra, Croatia, San Marino, Slovakia, Hungary.
Group 1
No additional Support
Countries with strong LGBTQI+ protections and high levels of human development.
Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Finland, Belgium, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, UK, Malta, Slovenia, Austria, Spain, France, Cyprus, Italy.
Group 3
Full Support
Includes no fees, full travel, accommodation, and daily subsistence (food, water, local travel).
Turkey, Montenegro, Russia, Romania, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Georgia, Serbia, Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, North Macedonia, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan.