Community Based Projects

Tackling, preventing and managing community tensions

Traditionally, there has been little consultation with long term residents about the introduction of new communities into their neighbourhoods; this leads to tensions, including hate crimes, negative press, myths, rumours and misunderstandings. There is an opportunity here to put things right and address some of the tensions and conflict through social diversity focused projects.

Strong mix of difference

With today's social diversity, neighbourhoods are now more than ever before, vibrant and active. It is important that a strong characteristic of determination associated with many minority groups is harnessed positively and that new communities are able to integrate and live side by side the long term population so that they can prosper and have a sense of belonging. This is in our view achievable, but the communities must first have an opportunity to take small steps to understand and tackle issues of mutual concern through the social diversity projects we envisage.

Addressing disadvantage and inequalities

We hope that the community diversity projects and the participants themselves will identify some of the challenges and raise them as areas that need addressing for policy and decision makers not only in local government but also the business community. Findings from the projects may lead to more targeted resources to the neighbourhoods as an important ingredient to building long term and lasting cohesive communities. Unless these inequalities are tackled, communities and individuals from both sides may continue to feel that they are denied fair and equal treatment. This will only feed mistrust, ignorance and prejudice, leading to fractures in community relations.

Building on existing work in the neighbourhoods

We are aware that much is already being done to address community cohesion through the work of the voluntary and community sector, individuals in the community, Local Authority initiatives as well as National government initiatives in selected neighbourhoods. We envisage that our projects give the opportunity to capitalise and build on existing networks, knowledge and links, including our network of community and other groups/organisations who we have formed positive working relationships with, and thereby increase the effectiveness and reach of the project overall.

As an independent multicultural organisation we have had experience in working with many diverse communities, this has provided us with a greater understanding of issues surrounding community diversity. By linking that experience with/and assisting local government, the business community and the voluntary sector we hope to enhance current and future community cohesion projects.

Cultural Characteristics & Historical Context

Through our own experience and research we have found positive outcomes are attained when:

• History and heritage, faith and strong cultural traditions play a key role in projects, for example in providing the inspiration for and focus of the projects, and in building trust with participants and the wider community.
• Projects that responded from the outset to the complexity of participants’ identities, multiple support needs and experiences of multiple exclusion.
• Sharing personal life stories in safe group settings (training sessions, user forums, self-help groups) proved highly effective in changing individuals’ lives.
• Flexible funding arrangements support experimentation, which enable projects to change pace and process. However, having short-term funding puts community diversity projects under strain.

Projects and participants benefit from:

• handing over decision-making to the participants directly involved;
• blending new ideas with valued traditions;
• using different arts media;
• accessing equality training;
• getting out and being part of the local community;
• local and national networking.

Whether you are a Public, Private or Voluntary organisation and are undertaking or considering a community based project as part of your equality schemes action plan ; an equality assessment, marketing development strategy, good practice, compliance, philanthropy what ever your incentive and require assistance/support do not hesitate to contact us.