This year, NELFA gathered in Prague for its Annual General Meeting, combining governance, strategy, and community with a strong political and legal focus. The AGM took place on Saturday, 7 February 2026, following the two-day expert conference organised by our members Prague Pride and Legebitra, titled “Know Your Rights: Defending Equality Amid Social Backlash.”
The conference focused on strategic litigation as a tool for advancing LGBTIQ* rights at a time of increasing political stagnation and social backlash across Europe. Several discussions directly addressed family life, parenthood, and marriage equality, highlighting how courts have become key actors in protecting rights where legislatures have failed to act.
NELFA was actively represented in the programme of the conference. Board member Maša Jerićević Šušteršič from Legebitra, Slovenia, contributed to discussions on LGBTIQ+ human rights in Slovenia and the situation of rainbow families at EU level, drawing on concrete legal developments and cross-border challenges. Daniel Martinović from Rainbow Families Croatia and President of NELFA took part in the panel “Family Rights of LGBT+ People: The Road Ahead,” focusing on practical obstacles faced by rainbow families in countries with limited legal recognition, and the role of courts and strategic litigation in closing these gaps. These contributions underlined why family law remains one of the most contested, but also most impactful, areas of LGBTIQ* advocacy today.
We would like to warmly thank all NELFA members, partners, and supporters who joined the conference. The discussions were rich, honest, and highly practical, and once again showed the value of bringing together activists, lawyers, researchers, and families in the same room.
On Saturday, the NELFA Annual General Meeting was held at the welcoming offices of Prague Pride, whom we sincerely thank for hosting us. The AGM followed the formal adoption of the Annual Report and Financial Report, and provided space for strategic discussion, exchange, and planning for the coming years.
During the AGM, members elected a new NELFA Board. We warmly thank our departing board members for their commitment, time, and work in the previous period. Their contribution has helped strengthen NELFA as a resilient and trusted European network. At the same time, we are excited to welcome a new Board, bringing fresh energy, ideas, and perspectives.
The newly elected NELFA Board is composed of:
• Daniel Martinović (they/them), President – Dugine obitelji, Croatia
• Maša Jerićević Šušteršič (she/her), Vice President – Legebitra, Slovenia
• Juan Baston (he/him), Secretary – Son Nuestros Hijos, Spain
• Ivana Svalina (she/her), Treasurer – Dugine obitelji, Croatia
• Genny Sangiovanni (she/her), Board member – Famiglie Arcobaleno, Italy
• Christian Gladel (he/him), Board member – LSVD, Germany
• Hinni Aarninsalo (she/her), Board member – Sateenkaariperheet, Finland
• Alena Shumchyk (she/her), Board member – FLG, Spain
• Alessandro Doro (he/him), Board member – Famiglie Arcobaleno, Italy
• Florent Rispoli (he/him), Board member – APGL, France
• Roderick Vassallo (he/him), Board member – MGRM, Malta
• Dominique Boren(he/him), Board member – APGL, France
• Niels Beck (he/him), Board member – Meer Dan Gewenst, The Netherlands
The full composition of the Board is also available on our website here.
Beyond formal reporting, the AGM focused strongly on the future of the network. In the Q&A session, members discussed how to further strengthen cooperation between legal practitioners and activists working on family rights across Europe. Building on existing initiatives such as the Euro Family Law Institute, there was strong interest in developing a more proactive, advocacy-oriented network of legal experts with a clear activist focus, capable of responding quickly to emerging challenges and strategic opportunities.
Members also discussed internal communication within the network, fundraising challenges and new strategies, and the importance of diversifying resources in a context where much of NELFA’s work continues to rely on donations, solidarity, and the persistence of its volunteers. We were also pleased to formally welcome a new member organisation, Association Mes Deux Papas from France, further strengthening our network.
Looking ahead, the AGM included discussions on NELFA’s involvement in key international moments, including International Family Equality Day, World Pride 2026 in Amsterdam, and the ILGA-Europe Annual Conference in Dublin in 2026. Members expressed strong interest in identifying additional opportunities to meet in person, whether at major events or through smaller, focused gatherings organised by the network itself.
A key strategic point was the need to develop a new NELFA Action Plan for the period 2027–2029. Members agreed that this process should actively involve the wider membership and reflect both the changing political context and the lived realities of rainbow families across Europe.
Advocacy at EU level was another central topic. The AGM discussed NELFA’s engagement with the upcoming EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy, and why it is crucial that family rights, parenthood recognition, and cross-border protection of children are clearly addressed within it. For rainbow families, EU-level policy frameworks often provide essential leverage when national systems fail, making coordinated advocacy more important than ever.
Finally, members received updates on cooperation with partner networks such as ILGA-Europe and COFACE, and reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and deepening these alliances. Strong networks do not exist in isolation, and progress on family equality depends on sustained collaboration across movements and sectors.
As always, the Prague meeting reminded us why meeting in person matters. It builds trust, sharpens strategy, and reminds us that behind policies, court cases, and position papers are people who care deeply and show up, often on a voluntary basis, with limited resources but considerable determination. NELFA continues to move forward thanks to that shared commitment, a fair amount of stubbornness, and a strong belief that rainbow families belong, everywhere.
