Funding announced for BAME community groups

Brighton & Hove City Council is creating an Engagement Fund for Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic (BAME) community groups on 13 July. The fund will support projects that improve the wellbeing of BAME residents and promote fairness.

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 wellbeing 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 the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee, said: “It is vital that the council works harder to help eradicate inequalities and injustice towards the city’s Black, Asian and minority ethnic (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.”

Who can apply

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 wellbeing, build cohesion or promote fairness

Information on how to apply will be published on the Community Fund webpages on 13 July at www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/communitiesfund.

Support and advice will be available to help groups interested in applying for a grant.

The deadline for applications is 11 September 2020.

Abut the Engagement Fund

The Engagement Fund is part of the council’s Communities Fund, which supports local community groups, voluntary organisations and not-for-profit social enterprise.

A total of £25,000 is currently available in the Engagement Fund.

The council recognises that there has been a historic lack of ring-fenced investment for BAME groups, that this Engagement Fund sum is limited and is working to identify additional resources.