The word cohesion is increasingly part of the lexicon of funders, policymakers and practitioners - but it often means different things to different people. It can refer to everything from responding to social tensions and shock events, to strengthening trust, creating a shared sense of place and belonging, and building the long-term conditions for communities to thrive together. Yet cohesion is still too often approached reactively, rather than as an ongoing investment in the relationships, trust and local infrastructure that help communities feel connected and resilient over time.
Led by Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network, in partnership with Islamic Relief, the Greater London Authority and The National Lottery Community Fund, this session explores social cohesion as a wider system condition shaped by trust, relationships, participation, safety, fairness and shared power. What does a genuine cohesion lens ask of funders seeking to move from projects to systems, and from short-term interventions to the longer-term conditions that enable communities to flourish?
Drawing on place-based work across philanthropy, government, local communities, and civil society, the session will include reflection, discussion and practical examples.
This session will be particularly relevant if you are thinking about how to strengthen your funding strategy through a cohesion and systems lens, and move beyond reactive responses to contributing to healthier, more resilient communities.