Building community power through non-prescriptive funding

Drawing on the overall findings from the forthcoming report on Big Local programme and a presentation from a C-Change West London (a CIO based in Hounslow that has grown out of and been funded by Heston West Big Local), this session will provide an opportunity for the audience to reflect on how funders can build community power through non-descriptive funding, including: 

• Investing in a distinct identity as a community. 
• Finance community spaces to foster residents coming together and other community services and activities.
• Invest in resilient resident networks that empower distributed leadership and amplify community voice.
• Strengthen community capacity by bringing in external support or building expertise locally.
• Build empowering and trusting relationships with existing powerholders.

The session will also open a conversation on how money’s relationship to power will change over time, from the initial conversations and negotiations that take place within communities once non-prescriptive funding is awarded and existing power structures are exposed, to reflections from communities on how they envisage their community power will continue once their Big Local funding is spent.

The Festival is open to all members of London Funders. Unless otherwise specified, we are not able to accept bookings from non-members. If you’re a funder and interested in becoming a London Funders member, please find out more here.