About EGLCC

Founding

The EGLCC was founded in June 2019 by 3 national LGBTIQ Business units, the SGLCC (Scandinavian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce), the IGLBC (the Italian GLBT Business Chamber) and East meets West, the Vienna based organisation with a clear Central & East European focus. In July 2019, EGLCC was joined by the GGLBC (German LGBTIQ* Business Chamber). Most recently, BGLBC (BeNeLux LGBTIQ+ Business Chamber) joined in September 2022. The EGLCC has its official seat in Stockholm, Sweden and is open for each nationally based LGBTI Chamber of Commerce in Europe that subscribes to the principles as put down in the Vienna Declaration on LGBTIQ Businesses.

The Aim of EGLCC

The EGLCC defined 4 key aims:

  • We want to make the European LGBTIQ businesses more visible so that they become a relevant group in their local  business community
  • We want to increase the social acceptance of LGBTIQ people in a business environment so that they can become a influential player in their business community
  • We want diversity to become a relevant value in the business world which will lead to powerful collaborations and create unique business opportunities
  • We want to make clear that coming out in business is not a threat to their existing successes but that it is as valuable as a personal coming out, it makes the businesses stronger, more authentic and more successful

The Members

The proud members of the EGLCC, the seven LGBTIQ Business Chambers active in Europe:

 

Introducing Supplier Diversity & Inclusion

An increasing number of with private and public sector organizations recognize the value of incorporating diverse suppliers into their global and local supply chains. Supplier Diversity & Inclusion (SDI) is a business strategy that procures, values, and promotes sourcing products and services from diverse suppliers.

A diverse supplier is a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME), with a percentage of people from a traditionally marginalized or underrepresented group – in this case, LGBTIQ individuals – in its management and operating as a legally registered entity.

The Economic Importance of SMEs

SMEs constitute 99% of all businesses in the European Union, employing around 100 million people and contributing significantly to the EU’s GDP. Diverse and inclusive supply chains bring benefits such as increased competition, innovation, reduced socio-economic inequality, economic prosperity, job growth, and the development of stronger, more sustainable communities.

The Benefits of Diverse Supply Chains for LGBTIQ Businesses

As of 2024, the EGLCC estimates approximately 1.5 million LGBTIQ-owned SMEs across the EU. LGBTIQ entrepreneurs, however, often encounter challenges such as discrimination, limited access to mainstream business networks, and heightened levels of doubt.

Proactively sourcing goods and services from LGBTIQ-owned and -managed SMEs accelerates innovation through diversity, reflecting the demographics of the communities in which these businesses operate. Committing to working with diverse suppliers also effectively benefits the LGBTIQ community through job creation, wage increases, and enhanced visibility. Sourcing from LGBTIQ suppliers also creates opportunities for with private and public sector organizations to expand their customer bases, enter new markets, and foster growth for LGBTIQ suppliers.

Additional benefits of participating in diverse supply chains include:

  • Strengthening the position of LGBTIQ SMEs in the local and European economy
  • Increasing social acceptance of LGBTIQ people in the European business environment
  • Validating Supplier Diversity & Inclusion as a lever for economic growth
  • Promoting SME growth and exploring new business opportunities
  • Helping people to come out in business