EPOA - European Pride Organisers Association

The early 1990s were a period of great change in Europe, but also an era of collaboration. At international and European conferences of the (then) International Lesbian & Gay Association, ILGA, European Pride organisers began to have discussions about forming a European network. In 1994 this was formally agreed, and the first Conference of the European Pride Organisers Association was held in Copenhagen in 1995 and the first board was elected. The Association then took on the role of licensing EuroPride which, in the beginning, was its primary activity.

Over the years that have followed EPOA has evolved a great deal. Whilst licensing EuroPride remains one of our most important activities – and certainly our most public activity – today we are also focused on advocating for the Pride movement in Europe, and supporting our members who now number over 100 Pride organisations in more than 40 countries. We remain an entirely volunteer-run organisation, with all eight board members being elected by our members and all having a role with their own Pride organisation.