The current Board and Steering Committee of TGEU were elected at the 3rd European Transgender Council in Malmoe. Board and Steering Committee serve for a two year term (2010-2012). For more information on their tasks please refer to our statutes.

![]() |
In my voluntary and professional capacities, I have developed expertise in transgender issues and experiences having served as both Committee Member and Chairperson, and been employed as Co-ordinator with Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI). I have a Masters in Equality Studies, where my research focused on transgender issues, and have authored a number of publications including TENI’s Transphobia in Ireland Report, funded by ILGA-Europe’s Human Rights Violations Documentation Fund. My work in TENI involved supporting the transgender community in all its diversity, focusing on raising awareness, providing support and education, and advocating for equality for all trans* people in Ireland. I am eager to engage in trans* activism at the European level and believe that my skills and knowledge can contribute positively to TGEU as an organisation, supporting its learning and development, and strengthening its impact for trans* people across Europe. As a non-binary trans-identified individual, I am committed to working for social change for all trans* people and feel that my passion, understanding, and experience ensures that I am well positioned to engage with, inform, and complement the work of TGEU. |
![]() |
Wiktor is a 24 years old Ph.D. student at the Institute of Applied Social Sciences at Warsaw University and also Vice-President of Trans-Fuzja Foundation – so far the only organization in Poland that focuses mainly on transgender issues. As a transgender activist Wiktor co-organized important, trans-inclusive events inside the country. He also monitors Polish LGBT organizations, to make sure that they are trans-friendly and trans-inclusive, and uses his knowledge of European Union Law and European trans-related laws to help lobby for trans issues inside Poland. Wiktor has been involved in TGEU work - as a Steering Committee member - since the 3rd Transgender Council in Malmoe. Current main interest in the SC are Central and Eastern Europe, especially actions concerning getting in touch with potential members in that region, and web-administrative functions. |
![]() |
Maria Sundin is 63 years old and presently a member of the board of RFSL, the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights where she serves on the LGBT Health committee and heads the RFSL Work Group for Legal reform of trans* legislation, depatholgisation and reform of trans* care. She is also serving as a member of the board of the trans* orgaanistion KIM (Gender, Identity, Diversity) and she was chairning the Local organizing Committee for the 3rd European Transgender Council in Malmo 2010. Maria has been involved in trans rights issues since the mid 1990-ies and served on the boards of a number of trans* organisations in Sweden during the years. She har alos been engaged in working with building support and counselling groups for transgender individuals in Sweden. Professionally Maria is a Social Worker and councellor and worked in this field for the past 30 years until she retired in 2009. She is also a member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and serve of it’s Membership Committee. Maria took part in WPATH:s bienal Symposium in Oslo 2009 whenre she also served on the Scientific Sub-Committee for Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy. |
![]() |
Karin Astrup, 54 years old is presently member of the Steering Committee. Karin has been president of The Danish National Transgender Association, Trans-Danmark since 2002 when the organization was founded and involved in TGEU since 2005. Karin has being involved in lobbying for trans rights for more than 15 years on a national level, worked with fund raising and organizational development. Her main interest lies in international lobbying and networking, implementation of international recommendations into national legislation. Karin has a professional background as an MBA and B.Sc... She has been working internationally most of her professional career, with assignments in Germany, USA and Lithuania. Karin held workshops at the Council in Berlin and has been working on the process of changing the statutes of TGEU, and setting up the procedures for finances. |
![]() |
Pia Nielsen 51 years of age is a member of the present Steering Committee. She is a Danish citizen living in Germany. She is running for a new period in the Steering Committee of TGEU. She has got many years of experience within working as a transactivist. Her special interests lie within equal rights for transpeople at the working place and human rights as such. She is the coauthor of the first handbook in Danish on all matters relating to being a transperson. Privately she has started a company doing Project Management of High-Tech projects worldwide in cooperation with Karin Astrup. She has been working on developing a new strategy for TGEU, she is heading the process of changing the Statutes of TGEU and she has implemented new budgeting procedures. |
![]() |
I have been an international trans activist and researcher for more than 10 years. I participated in the first TGEU Council in Vienna, was part of TGEU’s first international campaign „Justice for Gisberta“ and part of the organizational team of the second Council in Berlin, where I was elected a member of the Steering Committee. Combining my areas of responsibility within TGEU (international relations, research, hate crimes), I initiated TGEU’s Trans Murder Monitoring project, and with the strong support/help of other TGEU activists developed this project into TGEU’s „Transrespect versus Transphobia Worldwide“ research project. Due to persistence and a great deal of voluntary work, the project is now financed by three international funders, making it TGEU’s biggest project for the coming years and improving TGEU’s position to attract funding for its organizational development. Being into networking and a team player, I made empowering experiences within TGEU over the last two years. I would be very happy to gain the opportunity of continuing my work for TGEU within the SC. |
|
My name is Kristian Ranđelović, and I have been cooperating with the an unofficial Belgrade Gender Dysphoria Medical Team (the medical specialists in team are psychiatric, endocrinologist and surgeon) in order to provide help and support to other trans persons for over 13 years now. In 2006 I started working with Gayten LGBT, Center for LGBT Human Rights, where I have been systematically developing programs for trans individuals, including the first trans support group in the Balkans. I have also contributed to creating trans programs in Croatia and Bosnia. I have also participated in the creation of the first trans site in ex Yugoslavia region (www.transserbia.org) Throughout this I have appeared in media speaking about my experiences and trans issues. I have been invited and participated as an expert and lecturer in various meeting, seminar and conferences organized by other NGO and professional organizations. |



as of May 2008:

This section provides downloadable minutes of TGEU General Assemblies
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Extraordinary General Assembly (February 2008) Minutes | 79.41 KB |
| General Assembly (May 2008) Minutes | 490.48 KB |
| General Assembly (October 2010) Minutes | 65.17 KB |
Transgender Europe - TGEU
TransGender Europe – TGEU is a European third sector, umbrella organization, which works towards the full equality and inclusion of all trans people in Europe. TGEU was founded in 2005, in Vienna, during the 1st European Transgender Council in Vienna and is today registered as an NGO under Austrian Law. Currently (September 2011) TGEU has 38 member groups from 23 countries, from the wider Europe and beyond.
KEY ACTIVITIES
European Transgender Council: the biennial conference on human rights activism in the field of transgender equality in Europe with more than 200 delegates, from throughout Europe; 2005: Vienna, 2008: Berlin, 30 Sept – 3 Oct 2010: Malmo
Information Exchange Electronic Platform
Lobbying & Advocacy with the European Institutions:
Research and Awareness Raising Campaigns:
download the TGEU flyer here
Become a member here
other ways to support TGEU
Transgender Europe envisions a Europe[1] free from all discrimination – especially including discrimination on grounds of gender identity[2] and gender expression; a Europe where transgender people are respected and valued, a Europe where each and every person can freely choose to live in whichever gender they prefer, without interference.
The mission of TGEU is to improve the living conditions of transgender people all over Europe and
• to represent trans people throughout Europe
• to be the primary source for information and advice on transgender issues on a European level
• to have a leading role in raising awareness within European and international institutions on transgender issues
• to support a strong transgender movement by developing and implementing networks and training programs to enable transgender persons at all levels of organization
• to work together with academic researchers who study issues relevant to transgender lives and put this research to use for the benefit of transgender people.
Mission and Vision are part of the Strategic Plan 2010 - 2013 as approved at the TGEU General Assembly on October 2nd 2010 in Malmo, Sweden.
This section contains Statutes approved by the General Assembly at the 3rd Transgender Council in Malmoe, Sweden
§1 Name, seat and aims
(1) The association shall be known as “Transgender Europe”, in short “TGEU” henceforth referred to as the Association.
(2) It has its seat in Vienna and extends its activity to all Europe.
(3) Transgender Europe is a non-profit association established to promote respect, health and equality for all transgender persons.
(4) The Association is selflessly active. The assets of the Association may only be employed for purposes specified in this document. Members shall not receive allowances out of resources from the Association. No person may be favoured by expenditures which are foreign to the purpose of the Association nor by disproportionately generous compensation.
§2 Purpose
The purpose of the Association is:
(1) to establish cross border networking of people, groups and organizations that support improvement in the living conditions and standards of all transgender people,
(2) to work for the application of the human rights of transgender people in Europe, their social and legal equality as well as to work towards the prevention and editorial protection from social and legal discrimination,
(3) to work towards a reduction of social and legal discrimination as well as an improvement in the social integration of transgender people,
(4) to promote the health and wellbeing of transgender people including the access to health care for transgender persons,
(5) to give advice, information and support particularly for transgender people and their family members concerning transgender issues,
(6) to educate and raise awareness on transgender topics
(7) to give explanation to the general public concerning the varieties of transgender life so as to reduce prejudice and end discrimination,
(8) to represent the interests of transgender people in social discourse,
(9)and to improve the quality of life for transgender people in general.
§3 Means to fulfil the purpose of the Association
(1) The purpose of the Association shall be accomplished, among other things, through the following activities:
(a) establishment of Europe-wide networked structures,
(b) organization of regularly occurring Transgender Councils, where transgender activists meet to discuss issues affecting the community,
(c) cooperation with the media, other organizations and public offices, as well as issue of statements in relation to transgender people's interests,
(d) representation of the interests of transgender people before European institutions, as well as other bodies and organizations,
(e) cooperation with institutions, organizations and groups which pursue the same or similar purpose,
(f) support of projects, programs, actions and initiatives of members to give an added European dimension,
(g) development and execution of cross-border initiatives, projects and programs for action as well as the participation in worldwide activities and projects that correspond to the purpose of the Association,
(h) legal and material support of persons who are exposed to threats and discrimination due to their gender identity or who are threatened in the exercising of their rights,
(i) assistance in the development of local, regional or national infrastructure for transgender people,
(j) execution or support of scientific, artistic or social projects which correspond to the aims of the Association,
(k) fulfil its mission Transgender Europe can among other things use every informational medium or means of advertising as well as organize informative, scientific, cultural or social events,
(l) and other activities useful in its mission.
(2) The necessary financial resources shall be found through:
(a) application fees and membership dues,
(b) returns from events and collections,
(c) profit from the sale of the Association’s goods and publications,
(d) returns from offering services,
(e) public, private, and other donations, subsidies, loans, grants and assistances.
§4 Types of membership
Members of the Association can be all natural and corporate bodies as well as groups which are involved in matters committed to transgender issues. Groups and corporate bodies will nominate delegates to represent them in activities of the Association.The members of the Association are full members, supporting members as well as honorary members.
(1) Full members are those who pay membership dues and participate regularly in the work of the Association.
(2) Supporting members are those who aid or support the Association through regular or one time substantial contribution, service, interest or engagement
(3) Honorary members are persons appointed because of special contributions to the Association
§5 Application for membership
(1) The admission of new members lies with the Steering Committee or a membership sub-committee selected out of its members. The award of honorary membership requires the consent of the General Assembly (§ 12 (6)).
(2) Groups and corporate entities which apply for a full membership need to send a profile of the group’s engagement with their application.
(3) Individual persons who apply for a full membership need provide an explanation of interest with the application.
(4) Every group and corporate entity that is a member of Transgender Europe has the right to nominate delegates. The delegate shares the type of membership (§ 4) of the delegate's group.
§6 Membership withdrawal
(1) Membership ends by voluntary resignation, deletion from the rolls, exclusion or death (for corporate entities upon loss of incorporation, with groups upon dissolving). Membership dues are not refundable.
(2) Members may resign any time. The Executive Board must be informed
(3) The Steering Committee can end the membership of any member because of failure to pay membership dues, or a lack of involvement as indicated by a continuous unreachability by the usual means of communication of the Association (e-mail) or by lack of further interest in a membership.
Objection to the ending of the membership may be filed within one calendar month to the membership sub-committee which may ask for further information in order to reconsider the decision of the Steering Committee. Membership may be taken again by paying the relevant membership fees, and making a written commitment to participate in the Association’s activities and to be reachable on a reasonable basis by the usual means of communication.
(4) The exclusion of a member from the Association can be initiated by the Steering Committee due to an alleged serious breach of responsibilities of membership, contravention of the aims and objectives of the Association or because of behaviour damaging to the Association. An appeal against exclusion may be filed with the Court of Arbitration. The rights of membership rest until the decision is made.
(5)The revocation of an honorary membership can be decided on by the General Assembly for reasons mentioned in clause (4).
§7 Rights and duties of members
(1) Members may take part in all events of the Association and participate in activities of the Association in accordance with available opportunities.
(2) The right to vote and the right to stand for office are reserved for full members who are up to date with their payment of membership fees. Offices can only be held by natural persons.
(3) Members must have a valid e-mail address from which they are able to call up postings within 10 days. The Executive Board need be informed of changes to the e-mail address 14 days before expiration of the old address.
(4)Members are obliged to promote the interests of the Association to the extent their capabilities allow and to refrain from actions by which the reputation or the purpose of the Association could be adversely affected. They need to recognize the constitution of the Association and the decisions of the organs of the Association. The members are obliged to pay application fees and membership dues in the amount approved by the General Assembly on proposal of the Executive Board.
§8 Organs of the Association
The General Assembly (§ 9 to § 12), the Steering Committee (§ 13), the Executive Board (§ 14 to § 16), as well as the Auditors (§ 17) and the Court of Arbitration (§ 18) are the organs of the Association.
§9 The regular General Assembly
(1) The General Assembly shall be called together by the Executive Board every two years at least, and not later than four years after the previous General Assembly.
(2)All members are to be invited as early as possible through e-mail, but at least eight weeks prior to a General Assembly. The agenda of the General Assembly must be announced four weeks in advance. Motions for consideration must be filed in written form, either as an e-mail or by post, at least two weeks before the convening of the General Assembly with the Executive Board.
§10 Extraordinary General Assembly
(1) An extraordinary General Assembly is called following a decision of the Steering Committee or the regular General Assembly, upon a decision of at least two members the Executive Board, a petition of more than a tenth of the membership, upon demand of both Auditors, or upon demand of a single Auditor within six weeks after filing a request to this end with the Executive Board.
(2) All members must be invited by means of an e-mail at least three weeks before the date of the extraordinary General Assembly. The agenda has to be announced two weeks in advance. Motions can be made up to a week before the Assembly.
§11 Decisions of the General Assembly
(1) Motions of candidacy for the Steering Committee, the Executive Board and Auditors shall include a description of the candidates and their proposed engagement for the Association
(2) The size and the distribution of offices in the future Executive Board have to be publicized to the General Assembly.
(3) Decisions, except over a motion to convene an extraordinary General Assembly, can be taken only on topics on the agenda. Amendments to points of the agenda may be raised.
(4) All members attending the General Assembly are eligible to participate. The right to speak or vote is laid out in § 7 (2) of this constitution. Groups and corporate entities are to be represented by delegates. Proxy voting is permitted if authorized in writing.
The GA can invite non full members with the right to speak.
(5) The Steering Committee may authorize a web-based vote parallel to the General Assembly vote. For this purpose, motions and profiles of candidates running for offices of the Association must be published in the web. The online voting deadline can not extend beyond the voting during the General Assembly.
(6) A General Assembly is quorate only with the presence of half of all attending members entitled to vote. If the General Assembly is not quorate at the time and place specified in the agenda, then after 30 minutes the General Assembly may be opened with the same agenda. This clause is, to be disregarded in cases when a parallel on-line vote is authorized.
(7) The weight given to the votes of groups and corporate entities increases regressively with the number of votes cast by its representatives. The exact mode is to be regulated by Standing Orders.
(8) As a rule, the decisions taken at the General Assembly are passed with a simple majority of votes Elections to offices need an absolute majority of votes. Further specifications may be included by the General Assembly in Standing Orders. The vote of the co-chairs of the Association decides a tie. Constitutional changes require a majority of two-thirds.
(9) The chairperson of the General Assembly is selected by the Executive Board.
§14 Tasks of the General Assembly
The following actions are reserved for the General Assembly:
(1) Accepting and approving of the general working reports and audited and approved account books.
(2) Approving the budget.
(3) Electing the members of the Steering Committee and the Auditors.
(4) Electing or confirming the election or dismissal of the members of the Executive Board.
(5) Approving of application fees and membership dues.
(6) Awarding and revoking honorary memberships.
(7) Adopting standing orders of the General Assembly.
(8) Deciding constitutional changes and the voluntary devolution of the Association.
(9) Deliberating and deciding about other topics standing in the agenda.
§15 The Steering Committee
(1) The duties of the Steering Committee include operational development, strategic development, development of standing orders, project management, membership support, and representation of the network, preparation of the Transgender Counciland other meetings and appointment and dissolution of Working Groups.
(2) The Steering Committee shall be chosen to reflect as much as possible the regional origins and gender variation of the membership.
(3) The admission, exclusion and expulsion of Association members lies with the Steering Committee. It can nominate a membership sub-committee to perform these tasks.
(4) The Steering Committee consists of nine members. Members of the Executive Board are per se members of the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee can appoint additional members to fill vacancies between General Assemblies.
(5) The Steering Committee shall meet in person as required for tasks to be considered and resources available at least two times a year. Place and time of the meeting are to be taken by a vote and announced to all members of the committee as soon as possible but at least four weeks prior to the meeting. All members are to be informed of the decisions taken by the committee through a meeting protocol. One-half of the members of the Steering Committee will be quorate for the making of decisions. When the meeting is not quorate recommendations for decisions can be decided by e-mail or on later Steering Committee Meetings.
If the Steering Committee has to elect a secretary and a treasurer in accordance with §14 (3) all members of the Steering Committee have to decide on which members to appoint among the Steering Committee members.The Steering Committee shall meet in online meetings at least once a month. The time and date of the meeting shall be agreed upon in the previous meeting. Three Steering Committee Members can call for an additional meeting. Invitations including an agenda have to be sent to all members by e-mail at least 7 days before the meeting.
(6) The term of office of the Steering Committee ends at every regular General Assembly with the appointment of a new Steering Committee. When the General Assembly does not convene the Executive Board shall call for a web-based election of functionaries within three years of the last General Assembly. Incumbents are eligible for re-election.
(7) Unless by expiry of the term of office, the function of the members of the Steering Committee ends with resignation (§ 13 (8)), elimination (§ 13 (9)), dismissal (§ 13 (10)) or death.
(8) Members of the Steering Committee can resign in writing at any time. The resignation is to be addressed to the Steering Committee, in the case of the resignation of the entire Steering Committee, to the General Assembly.
(9) Members of the Steering Committee can be expelled from the Committee upon continuous non-participation in discussions, voting or meetings for at least six months after being warned in advance of the consequences of failing to participate, and being reprimanded by a vote of at least a two-thirds majority of Steering Committee.
(10) The full membership can dismiss individual Steering Committee members or the entire Steering Committee through a three-quarters majority at any time.
§14 The Executive Board
(1) The Executive Board consists of a minimum the two co-chairs, the secretary and the treasurer. Persons on the Executive Board must be full members and natural persons of the Association. Deputies can also be elected.
(2) The Executive Board can engage assistants in the execution of specific tasks.
(3) The two co-chairs of the Executive Board are elected separately at the General Assembly in a separate election. The two-chairs are the ones with the most and the second most votes at the election. The two co-chairs appoint a secretary and a treasurer from the elected Steering Committee Members to become members of the Executive Board within 2 weeks from the General Election. Candidates for the two co-chairs must present their candidacy at the latest a week before the opening of the election. If the two co-chairs cannot agree on the election of the secretary and the treasurer the Steering Committee decides who to elect.
(4) Upon resignation of a member of the Executive Board, the Steering Committee has the right to select a member of the Steering Committee for the vacant office. The Steering Committee can appoint additional members to become members of the Executive Board from the Steering Committee
(5) Decisions of the Executive Board require a fifty percent voting participation. The Board passes its decisions with a simple majority of votes. In the event of a tie a revote is taken.
(6) The Executive Board may furthermore establish its own standing orders.
(7) The term of office of the Executive Board ends with a regular General Assembly. In all cases a Board remains in office until a new Board is chosen.
(8) The responsibilities of the Executive Board end with expiry of the term of office § 14 (7), as well as analogously due to the circumstances mentioned in § 13 (8). Resignation and dismissal are effective only upon choice or appointment of a successor (§ 14 (3)).
§15 The duties of the Executive Board
The fiscal and legal management of the Association lies with the Executive Board. It undertakes all tasks which are not explicitly assigned by the constitution to another organizational element. The following matters fall particularly into its domain:
(1) Preparation of the annual reports and accounts. Publication of these documents to the membership.
(2) Informing the Steering Committee of activities of the Executive Board including fiscal and legal management of the Association
(3) Calling of a regular General Assembly and/or an extraordinary General Assembly.
(4) Administration of the assets of the Association.
(5) Hiring and dismissing employees of the Association.
(6) Aproving a work schedule drawn up by the Steering Committee for the coming financial year. TransGender Europe can only be legally represented by two members of the Executive Board acting together with proper authorization of the majority of the Executive Board.
§16 Special obligations of individual members of the Executive Board
(1) The two co-chairs are the highest officers of the Association. Representation of the Association in public, before authorities and third persons lies with the co-chairs, or a representative appointed by them. In case of emergency they are authorized to act for the Steering Committee and the Executive Board upon their own responsibility. Such actions require subsequent approval by the responsible organizational element.
(2) The secretary shall support the co-chairs in the conduct of the Association’s affairs. The secretary is also responsible for the preparation of protocols of the General Assembly, the Steering Committee and the Executive Board.
(3) The treasurer is responsible for the proper finances of the Association.
(4) In case of absence, the officers of the Executive Board are represented by their deputies.
§17 The Auditors
(1) Two auditors are to be elected by the membership for the same term of office as the Executive Board. The regulations in § 13 (7) and § 13 (9) apply to the auditors analogously
(2) The auditors are responsible for controlling regular business activities and checking the account books. Their annual report shall be presented to the Steering Committee and subsequently, the General Assembly.
§18 The Court of Arbitration
(1) The court of arbitration decides all disputes within the Association internally.
(2) The court of arbitration consists of five full members of the Association. Each of the disputing parties shall name two members as arbitrators before the Executive Board within fourteen days. The fifth arbitrator, who functions as chairperson of the court of arbitration, will be a member of the Steering Committee chosen by chance.
(3) The court of arbitration will, whenever possible arrive at a consensus decision, which can include the provision of advice to the parties, including the Association. If consensus cannot be reached the court of arbitration makes its decision by a simple majority vote after statements from each of its members. It decides with best knowledge and conscience, and has a free vote. The chair may vote in the case of a tie, or may choose not to vote if the court members have chosen instead to provide advice. Any decision is final within the Association. If advice is given, this shall be fully considered by the parties, or the Association, and if an agreement cannot be reached, the matter will be referred back to the court of arbitration for a simple vote.
§19 Voluntary dissolution of the Association
(1) The voluntary dissolving of the Association can be decided on only in a vote of the General Assembly called to this end and valid with a more than three-quarters majority vote.
(2) In case of a voluntary dissolution, the liquidation of the assets of the Association, should any be at hand, is to be decide on by the Executive Board. Specifically, the Board must appoint a liquidator and approve a decision about whom to assign the assets of the Association remaining after liabilities and taxes. These assets shall come to the benefit of a charitable organization with the same or similar activities as this Association.
2nd October 2010, approved by the General Assembly in Malmoe, Sweden.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| TGEU_Statutes_English.pdf | 95.49 KB |
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| TGEU_Statutes_German.pdf | 89.31 KB |
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Download the claim form | 148.5 KB |
Transgender Europe has a strong commitment to equal opportunity. This applies both to Transgender Europe’s implementation of its work programme, and its employment practices.
Transgender Europe is committed to opposing direct and indirect discrimination on grounds of disability, ethnicity or national origin, colour, race, creed, gender, marital status, domestic circumstances, age, HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other grounds.
Transgender Europe will do all within its power to apply the above practice in its day-to-day operations and in its employment procedures.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Download TGEU transgender policy | 308.45 KB |