The Needs Assessment Project was initiated and designed by the French-speaking 2ELGBTQ+ community. To carry out its project, the Collective relies on a research team composed of scientists and community members. The research project is based on scientific methods and uses—and generates—high-quality evidence, enabling the community to make informed decisions about setting up services or structures for them. The project is covered by a five-year research agreement signed on March 3, 2020, with Université de Saint-Boniface (USB).
Indeed, the research agreement formalizes a partnership between the Collective and the Université de Saint-Boniface (USB) and provides for the active participation of 2ELGBTQ+ individuals within the research team and advisory or scientific committees, in all research work, in the dissemination of results, and in knowledge mobilization.
The first phase of the project began in December 2019 and collected data via an online survey in June 2020. A first research report was released in June 2021 during two community meetings.
Phase II of the project, a study aimed at understanding the experiences of adolescents aged 14 to 18, began in November 2022 and collected data through an online survey as well as individual or group interviews. Recruitment of participants, including youth, parents, and teaching staff, ended in March 2023. The results were unveiled in June 2024. Phase III of the needs assessment project is underway. Data collection is complete, and data analysis will continue in 2024-2025. The study will identify the challenges, needs, or concerns of community members during the transition to parenthood.