March 31, 2026

Empowering the LGBT community

23 minutes

**This episode contains one instance of offensive language

How two projects in Kenya and Spain are helping LGBT communities.

Setting up a business can be tricky. There can be many hurdles including lack of access to capital and other unexpected costs. The challenges are particularly acute for LGBT entrepreneurs in Kenya who can be denied bank loans and face possible extortion. We meet a group of LGBT entrepreneurs who have created a dedicated fund for the community to help get businesses off the ground.

We also visit the site of a new retirement home for LGBT people funded by Madrid’s regional government. The hope is that the home located in the Spanish capital and being set up by the Fundacion 26 de Diciembre will give residents the chance to live their lives with a greater sense of freedom and also a chance to find community. And we hear about a similar project in Sweden.

People Fixing The World from the BBC is about brilliant solutions to the world's problems. We release a new edition every Tuesday. We'd love you to let us know what you think and to hear about your own solutions. You can contact us on WhatsApp by messaging +44 8000 321721 or email [email protected]. And please leave us a review on your chosen podcast provider.

Presenter: Myra Anubi

Producer: Alex Collins

Reporters: Michael Kaloki and Esperanza Escribano

Editor: Jon Bithrey

Sound mix: Andrew Mills

(Image: Carolina outside a building in Madrid that's being converted into a care home, credit Isa Salcedo, Fundacion 26 de Diciembre)

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