PROJECTS

The report calls for funding bodies to adopt a policy of ‘Single Group Funding as the exception and not the rule’. Implementation of this proposal threatens the survival of many Black and Minority Ethnic groups given that the Commission’s definition of Single Group Funding is ‘as that awarded on the basis of a particular identity, such as ethnic, religious or cultural’. Furthermore, LEMP believes the proposal is discriminatory against Black and Minority Ethnic groups, as it fails to recognise the specific needs of the UK’s diverse communities, and if implemented would have a negative impact on community cohesion and prevent the vital work that is sometimes needed within particular sections of our society.

The Commission’s first recommendation is that if Single Group Funding is awarded the reasons behind the award should be clearly publicised to all communities in the local area. This is potentially discriminatory because the requirement is only being applied to BME organisations and not mainstream voluntary sector organisations. Furthermore, it may unwittingly escalate tensions between white racist groups like the BNP and within Black communities. LEMP does not believe that funding awarded to BME groups should receive any more publicity than funding awarded to other community groups.

The second recommendation made by the Commission is that groups applying for the renewal of funding or additional resources should be expected to demonstrate the progress they have made in becoming more outward facing. Again, LEMP feels that all publicly funded organisations should be encouraged to build bridges between communities of interest and communities of place. This is just as much the responsibility of white-led community organisations as it is the responsibility of BME organisations. We are quite certain that BME organisations will regard this recommendation as unfair and discriminatory. All organisations in receipt of public money need to be “outward-facing”.

If, as the Commission recommends, Single Group Funding became the exception rather than the rule we believe this would undermine community cohesion. BME organisations would need to look inwards rather than outwards in order to survive and connections with voluntary organisations and community groups across a city or district would be broken. We welcomed the opportunity to discuss our concerns with a wider range of BME organisations and have written to the Minister for the Third Sector as well as the Minister for Cohesion to reject the first two recommendations contained in Annex D.

This event was organised by LEMP, Derby Millennium Network and the Nottingham Black Partnership.