Björn works with ILGA-Europe, where he is responsible for overall management ILGA-Europe’s Programmes Service Area and its team. He oversees the implementation of ILGA-Europe’s strategy on building capacities of the LGBTI movements throughout Europe. Björn’s carries extensive experience in developing and implementing innovative projects on human rights.
Before joining ILGA-Europe, Björn worked with COC Netherlands, first as Project Consultant and later as International Advocacy Officer. He has taken the lead in developing the international advocacy work of COC Netherlands, and as such has worked with various international organisations, including the United Nations, the OSCE, the European Union and the Council of Europe. In this role he worked with activists from all over the world and in particular with groups in the Balkans, Turkey and Central-Asia.
Activist work for Björn started with the Dutch LGBT youth magazine ‘Expreszo’ and later was a board member with IGLYO, and advised the preceding board afterwards. Currently he used to be a member of the board of trustees of the Planet Romeo Foundation and also serves on the LGBT rights working group of Liberal International.
Björn holds a degree in Communications from the Inholland University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. His thesis covered the subject of philanthrophy fundraising in the Netherlands.
When leaving COC Netherlands in 2012 Björn’s work was recognised with an organisational award. His work previously has been recognised by his election of ‘Dutch European young person of the year’, in 2007.
