The design and implementation of the virtual multicolour spaces is part of the UV Volunteering in Diversity Programme coordinated by the department of Diversities. The spaces have been designed as a meeting and socialising point, where to organize activities and offer a service of support and information of the different university resources.

These virtual spaces will be run by a team of 15 volunteers who received training in the last academic year on affective-sexual and gender diversity, as well as on university resources and procedures. Volunteers will stay online according to an established public calendar. They will assist with all kinds of enquiries related to name change procedures, action in the face of harassment or LGTBIphobic behaviours, situations of discrimination, etc.

According to the Diagnosis on LGTBI and ethno-cultural diversity among University of Valencia students, carried out by the MIDICO research team in 2019, LGTBI students consider the University to be an open, pluralist and welcoming institution. However, the situation on campuses and between faculties is not homogeneous and there are still discriminatory behaviours, such as offensive comments made or tolerated by classmates and professors. The diagnosis indicates that one of the reasons for not making a complaint is not knowing how to do so.

With the creation of multi-coloured spaces in libraries, considered a safe space by LGTBI students, we want to bring the services closer to campuses, make Diversities’ action known and closer, inform and support, provide accompaniment, disseminate internal and external resources, discover the activities of university LGTBI collectives, etc.

On the posters of multi-coloured spaces that will be placed in the libraries there will be a QR code that will link with to the Diversities website. There you will find the established schedule of opening hours and a programme of activities. It will be also accessible from different banners that will be incorporated into the website and microsites of the Library Service. In addition, questions will be answered and appointments will be arranged via email at multicolor@uv.es.

The volunteering programme also includes awareness-raising and dissemination of the resources through social networks. The students volunteering will receive continous training and among the activities planned for the coming months, there is a Feminist Reading Club promoted by the Office of the Vice-Principal for Equality, Diversity and Sustainability in which all areas of the Office of the Vice-Principal participate. The activity is aimed exclusively at students of the Sedi UV Volunteering Programme in diversity, prevention and intervention in gender violence, sustainability, and support for students with disabilities.

Multi-coloured spaces will be opened on 8 March, coinciding with the International Women’s Day, whose this year’s motto is: ‘Striving to define a more equal future in a time of pandemic’. They will be active until the May exam period.