The National Lottery has linked up with Ublele Initiative to create a £50m partnership to boost funding and support to Black and minitorised community-led charities and community groups.

The Pheonix Way partnership aims to create a network of national and regional panels involving minoritised charity leaders to ensure funding reaches their communities.

Through the initative the National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) has ringfenced £50m investment. The NLCF and Ubele Initiative are currently working on how the money will be spent over the next five years.

Around 85% of the total budget will be allocated, either through grant funding or leadership and capacity development, to activities that directly support Black and minitory led organisations and the communities they help.

The Pheonix Way partnership has been set up through the Phoenix Fund, a partnership that launched last year to improve access to funding. This was set up between the NLCF, Ubele and the Global Fund for Children.

“The Ubele Initiative is both proud and privileged to be working with The National Lottery Community Fund and Black and minoritised community leaders and organisations across England to develop The Phoenix Way, said the Initiative’s founder and chief executive Yvonne Field.

“This £50m investment in The Phoenix Way allows partners to connect directly with those with lived experience of racism and racial disparities, and work together to offer innovative and creative funding opportunities in response to identified challenges.

“The Phoenix Way will also facilitate the deepening of a unique collaborative approach, which emerged during COVID-19, and to work together to transform systems of funding, decision-making, and support to Black and Minoritised communities and organisations over the next five years.

“We will develop national and regional priorities, and decision-making will primarily take place at the regional level in response to these priorities.

“The Ubele Initiative and The Phoenix Way partners will work with The National Lottery Community Fund to capture and share learning to shape the future of grant giving to embed the principles of participation and collaboration with those with lived experiences and equity in processes and decision-making across England.”

NLCF deputy director of partnerships Abdoi Sidibe added: “This is a truly collaborative effort – combining National Lottery funding with the reach, lived experience, and expertise of The Ubele Initiative and our Phoenix Way partners – so that vital money and support reaches some of those communities that need it most, but can often struggle to access it.”

Also involved in the Phoenix Way programme are groups including Voluntary Action Leeds, Lancashire BME Network and Black South West Network.

Share Story: