About EGLCC

Founding

The EGLCC was founded in June 2019 by three national LGBTIQ business chambers: the SGLCC (Scandinavian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce), the IGLBC (Italian GLBT Business Chamber), and East meets West, a Vienna-based organisation with a strong Central and Eastern European focus.

In the following years, the EGLCC was joined by the GGLBC (German LGBTIQ* Business Chamber, 2019), the BGLBC (BeNeLux LGBTIQ+ Business Chamber, 2022), REDI (Spanish Business Network & Chamber for LGBTI Diversity & Inclusion, 2022), and the FGLBC (French LGBT+ Business Chamber by L’Autre Cercle, 2023-2026).

The Aim of EGLCC

The EGLCC has defined four key aims:

  • Increasing the visibility of European LGBTIQ businesses, so they become a relevant part of their local business communities
  • Strengthening social acceptance of LGBTIQ people in business environments so they can play an influential role in their sectors
  • Positioning inclusion as a value with clear economic benefits, enabling stronger collaborations and new business opportunities
  • Demonstrating that coming out in business is not a risk to success, but a strength that fosters authenticity, resilience, and growth

The EGLCC Chamber Network

The EGLCC proudly brings together six LGBTIQ business chambers active across Europe:

 

What is inclusive procurement?

Inclusive procurement or inclusive sourcing is a business strategy that promotes sourcing goods and services from minority-owned suppliers. It is increasingly adopted across Europe as part of responsible and sustainable sourcing practices.

A minority-owned supplier is typically a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) that has ownership or management representation by traditionally under-represented groups and is legally registered as a business.

Inclusive supply chains strengthen competition, innovation, economic resilience, job creation, social equity, and sustainable community development.

The value of inclusive supply chains for LGBTIQ businesses

SMEs represent 99% of all businesses in the European Union, employ around 100 million people, and make a significant contribution to the EU economy.

The EGLCC estimates that there are approximately 1.5 million LGBTIQ SMEs across Europe. Despite this, LGBTIQ entrepreneurs continue to face barriers such as limited access to networks, discrimination, and reduced visibility in mainstream procurement systems.

Inclusive sourcing helps address these gaps by:

  • Expanding market access and business opportunities
  • Supporting job creation and improved economic participation
  • Increasing visibility and social acceptance of LGBTIQ entrepreneurs
  • Strengthening the position of LGBTIQ SMEs within the economy
  • Validating inclusion as a driver of economic growth
  • Encouraging visibility and authenticity in business environments

At the same time, inclusive procurement also creates clear value for corporate buyers, including:

  • Access to new markets and customer segments
  • Expansion and diversification of supplier bases
  • Increased innovation through inclusive supply chains
  • Support in meeting ESG and sustainability objectives
  • Creation of measurable social and economic impact

Read more about the overlooked importance of inclusive procurement.

Register Your Business