The Engagement Fund, part of the council’s Communities Fund, which supports local community groups, voluntary organisations and not-for-profit social enterprise, will support projects that improve the well-being of BAME residents and promote fairness. A total of £25,000 is currently available and groups can apply for grants of up to £2,000 to help with running costs and activities.
Councillor Carmen Appich, chair of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee, said: ‘This funding is specifically aimed at improving well-being and promoting fairness for BAME communities in the city as part of our work to tackle inequality.
‘Coronavirus has had a disproportionate impact on BAME residents and shone a light on the inequalities endured by BAME residents.
‘Our city is super diverse, and I want to make sure that our BAME community groups have access to funding they need.
‘As well as having a specific funding stream dedicated to BAME groups, using feedback from community and voluntary sector partners, officers have reviewed the application process to make it as accessible as possible.’
Councillor Marianna Ebel, Green opposition spokesperson for of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee, added: ‘It is vital that the council works harder to help eradicate inequalities and injustice towards the city’s BAME communities.
‘A fund that will directly benefit BAME communities is only one of the ways that we can seek to ensure local communities are better supported.
‘At this challenging time, this fund aims to offer financial support to the many BAME groups in our city, improving the well-being and promoting fairness for communities; and we warmly encourage groups in the city to apply for this Engagement Fund.’
The fund is open to organisations which:
· Are BAME led and/or have a predominantly BAME membership
· Have an annual income is £20,000 or less
· Aim to improve well-being, build cohesion or promote fairness
Information on how to apply will be published on the Community Fund website on Monday, July 13 and the deadline for application is Friday, September 11, 2020. Support and advice will be available to help groups interested in applying for a grant.