MODA is going to launch its brand new website within the next few weeks. It will include a links section to facilitate networking among migrant and refugee organisations and other mainstream agencies. If you want to have a link on our website, free of charge, just send an email to info@moda.org.uk specifying the name of the organisation and your web address. This will give you an opportunity to introduce your organisations to thousands of groups and networks.

We are also in the process of completing MODA's Directory 2006. We intend to include some exceptional photographs reflecting diverse community activities. We’ll appreciate if you send up to three photographs reflecting your organization's community activities. Please remember that we'll only select the best ones for publication.

In 2005/06 Moda provided 1-2-1 capacity building support to 20 BME community organisations in the areas of Project Development, Strategic Planning, Quality Systems and Standards, Fundraising and Effective Management. This project is funded by the City Parochial Foundation.
We are now recruiting new organisations for our 06-07 programme. If you are looking for fundrasing and technical support to develop your organisation further, Moda`s BME Capacity Building Project can provide the support you need. If you like to be short-listed for support please fill this form and forward to info@moda.org.uk or for futher information please contact our Outreach Development Officer Alex Yang on 020 8432 9590, or email her at Alexyangzi@yahoo.com.

Thursday 6 July; 9:15am - 5:00pm
Princess Diana of Wales Memorial Fund, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1;

Africans Unite Against Child Abuse (AFRUCA) is the premier charity promoting the welfare of African children in the UK and works to raise awareness of key child safeguarding issues.  To mark their fifth year in existence, they are holding this London-wide conference to explore key safeguarding issues within different faith organisations. It will examine how they (faith organisations) can play a leadership role in the African community in protecting and promoting the welfare of African children.

The conference is open to social work practitioners, faith organisations, African community organisations, charities, policy makers, academics, refugee and asylum seekers groups, voluntary sector groups, health sector practitioners, education sector workers, sure start programme staff, crime prevention officers etc

Conference Fees (per delegate):
£120.00 statutory sector, private organisations, others;£50.00 faith/African community organisations

For further information and to book a place please contact Elvina Quaison by phone 0207 704 2261 or e-mail elvina@afruca.org

Thursday 22 June; 9.30am – 2.30pm; 47-49 Durham Street, Vauxhall, London SE11 5JA

Olmec organises an interactive event aimed at engaging and empowering London ’s Minority Ethnic voluntary and community organisations to benefit from the increased revenue, focus and effectiveness of social business.

This free seminar will provide BME voluntary and community groups and their social partners, an opportunity to:

• Explore and debate the concept and the benefits associated with social enterprises
• Identify capabilities needed for success in today’s social economy
• Learn from examples of successful social enterprises
• Explore existing and emerging legal forms for social enterprises
• Explore the different sources of funds for social enterprise development and determine how to access them
• Network and establish contacts that allow the expertise within the VCO sector to be shared and developed.

For further information and to book a place, please contact Aik Morgan on 0207 091 9480 or by email aik.morgan@olmec-ec.org. uk

Tuesday 13 June; 10am - 5pm; Hackney Town Hall, Reading Lane, Hackney, London E1

This multi-ethnic community-focused event is now in its third year. It will discuss topics and issues relating to the ethnic-religious-social diverse communities in London and their role and inclusion in the environmental concerns and issues of London. The fair includes a mix of presentations, talks, discussions, workshops, displays and community projects, as well as networking opportunities.

There will be topics on access to ethnic food, environmental justice for ethnic communities, inclusion of ethnic communities in environmental consultations and many other key topics relating to a fair, equal and inclusive environment for London's diverse social communities. Many BME community groups and activists are participating in the event. Many BME environmental projects are being profiled.

For a full programme & booking form contact Jagdeesh Singh, Programme Co-ordinator on 020 8968 4601 or email jagdeesh.singh@london21.org or visit www.london21.org

Monday 19 June, 2.00 - 5.00 pm at NCVO, Regent's Wharf, London

The Central London CVS Network has been funded by the LSC to develop a Workforce Development Strategy as part of the central London ChangeUp plan. This event will be an opportunity to hear key points from the this work so far, and discuss the action plan that is being developed.

The aim will be to discuss the draft strategy's goals and how they could be put into action, and contribute to the next steps operation plan.
Further details and a summary paper of the document and proposed strategy will be available soon, and will be sent to participants in advance of the meeting. Refreshments will be available.

For further details of the event or to register please contact Gillian Bell at the Central London CVS Network GillianB@ivac.org. uk

Thursday 22 June, 2.00-7.00 pm; MHT House, Crescent Lane, Clapham Common, London, SW4 9RS
Closing date: 9 June 2006

Refugee Week 2006 runs from 19 - 25 June 2006. This will be the eighth Refugee Week since 1998, and it is a nation wide programme of arts, cultural and educational events, celebrating cultural diversity and the positive contribution of refugees. Refugee Week offers the opportunity to deliver positive educational messages that counter fear, ignorance, and the negative stereotyping of refugees, as well as an opportunity to inform the public of the enormous economic and cultural contribution that refugees make to British society.

RHA organises a celebration event with free food & drinks served for up to 300 people. Live entertainment from a steal band and soft background music will be played, together with image & art displays boards learning together and from each other.
RHA wishes to see active participation from Refugee Community Organisations, other Voluntary Sector Agencies, or individuals in this event.

For further information and book a place (closing date: 9 June) please contact Baak Wol via email baak.wol@mht.co.uk or phone 020 7501 2226.

Friday afternoons from 1.30 -6.00pm, between October 2006 – July 2007
Application deadline: 15 June

The Refugee Therapy Centre is organising a training to learn about working with refugees and asylum seekers in the community. The course offers the opportunity to use own experiences to help others.
The centre is looking for refugees and asylum-seekers from diverse backgrounds to share their experiences and learn from each other, in working with refugees and asylum seekers.

The course is free for unemployed refugees and asylum seekers. People already volunteering or working in the community will also be welcomed.  

The course is aimed at people with an intermediate level of English, although no previous academic experience is necessary and we make every effort to support students with their learning.

For further information and an application pack please contact the Miriam Philips via e-mail miriam@refugeetherapy.org.uk or telephone 020 7272 2565.

Thursday 8 June 2006; 9.30am — 4.30pm; Shanti Centre, 89 Askew Road, London W12 9AS

The Asian Health Agency organises a one day basic First Aid Certificated course for individuals and community organisations. TAHA particularly encourage volunteers, staff and Management Committee members from BME groups to participate.

For further information and to book a place, please contact Salvinder Dhillon via emial azad@taha.org.uk or phone on 020 8538 7703

Friday 16 June and Wednesday 21 June
Wood Green Central Library, High Road N22 6XD

ORAMA is organising a Diversity Training for Voluntary Organisations, Youth Workers, Social Practitioners and Interested Individuals.
Join us and: Explore issues that affect your daily life in thousand different ways; Examine and confront stereotypes, prejudices, racism, discrimination; Find out ways of promoting diversity in your environment; Exchange views and experiences with others; Increase your confidence in dealing with such important issues; Provide for an inclusive and productive environment in your organisation; Improve your communication with your diverse clients.
The training follows a carefully developed programme of interactive activities - experiential and rooted in intercultural learning.

Participation Fees: £160 individuals and small voluntary organisations (less than 15,000 annual income); £200 voluntary organisations with more than 15,000 annual income and other institutions;· Two places of £100 for organisations with less than 5,000 annual income. Please note that 70% of your participation fee goes towards funding the provision of free ORAMA diversity trainings for young people.

For further information or to book a place contact ORAMA: Tel. 0208.342.9686 email: contact_orama@yahoo.co.uk; website: www.orama4diversity.org

Next introductory workshop:
15 June, The Greenside Community Centre, 24 Lilestone Street, London NW8 8SR.

Vital Regeneration is pleased to invite to join their new ‘net:gain’ membership scheme. The programme is sponsored by the Home Office’s ‘ChangeUp’ initiative, and is being delivered by selected UK online centres in partnership with ruralnet | uk .

The scheme aims to help Voluntary and Community Organisations (VCOs) fully utilise the potential benefits of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for their organisations. It is designed to help VCOs understand the strategic importance of ICT, to help them plan an ICT strategy, to raise awareness of the many options available for recovering ICT costs, and to provide signposting to ICT support organisations.

The membership package includes: 2 half day Business & ICT planning workshops and a year’s free membership of ‘Experts Online’ (retail price £100), Funding Matters e-mail alerts, Over 90% reduction on CISCO equipment, Half price on a day’s rental of The Greenside Community Centre (NW8).

There are few restrictions on the type of activity that a net:gain client organisation can pursue, but you must be formally constituted and not be for private gain.

The cost of a years net:gain membership is £384 per organisation. However, the support received form the Home Office’s ‘ChangeUp’ programme allows to reduced the rates (£40/£150/£350) to the first 100 members, depending upon organisation’s annual turnover.

To become a member, or to find out if you qualify for a limited free membership offer, please contact Vital Regeneration by phone 020 7641 4506 or email vitaltraining@cwh.org.uk.

Application Deadline: 5 July 2006
Scheme end date: 6 March 2009
Grant Value - maximum: £12,000

Connecting Communities Plus is a grants programme designed to support practical action to help achieve the goals set out in Improving Opportunity, Strengthening Society, the government's strategy to increase race equality and improve community cohesion.

The programme follows the existing Connecting Communities grant programme which ended in March 2006. The grants will facilitate tailored initiatives to meet the specific needs of disadvantaged communities, rather than treating all BME communities in the same way. Community Grants are aimed at locally run and managed voluntary and community organisations with an income of less than £50,000 per year, run by volunteers or with one full time or two part time paid staff.

For all enquiries contact Connecting Communities Plus - Community Grants via phone 01223 400 343
or email ccplus@cdf.org.uk
(Source: CEMVO Funding information newsletter)

From May this year organisations can submit proposals when it suits them.

Futurebuilders has already approved investments for over 100 voluntary and community organisations. It currently has over £70 million left invest in successful applicants from the last window, and those who apply from May onwards.

Loan funding will form a substantial part of every full Futurebuilders investment. Futurebuilders recognise that most of the organisations they invest in will be new to loan funding and they offer long-term support to all their investees, helping them to minimise the risks of loan finance and move towards long-term sustainability. The investment might also include a grant to cover revenue, or capital costs or capacity building.

If Futurebuilders think your application looks interesting but needs further work before they can make a full investment, they might decide to offer you a development grant. The online application form contains guidance on how to complete your application form, and will allow you to save your answers and return to the form as often as you like before submitting it.

Futurebuilders are unable to discuss your proposal in detail before they receive your application, but if you have a specific query about your project's eligibility or their application process please contact the Enquiry line on 0191 261 5200 or via email: info@futurebuilders-england.org. uk. Their telephone hotline is open on weekdays between 10:00am and 4:00pm (10:00 am to 12 noon only on Thursdays). (Source: The CIB newsletter)

Application Deadline: 30 June 2006

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is inviting applications under its Partnership Research Grants programme. The Partnership Research Grants aim to facilitate and promote joint research activities between academic researchers and partners in public or private sector organisations in order to transfer knowledge gained in research to users. Partners may be private sector companies (non-UK companies must be able to demonstrate a significant manufacturing and research base in the UK); and / or public sector organisations including local, regional and national authorities, regulators, non-departmental public bodies, non-governmental organisations and charities.

Partnership Research Grants are for a minimum of £25,000 for directly Incurred costs and usually provide funding for up to three years.

For enquires please contact Poppy Leeder via phone 01793411512 or email fvl@nerc.ac.uk.

To Download full guidance notes please click here or visit the website http://www.nerc.ac.uk/using/partnershiprg.shtml
(Source: CEMVO Funding information newsletter)

Application Deadline: 7 August 2006

The City Parochial Foundation (CPF) is pleased to announce a new programme to develop and strengthen preventative work with potential perpetrators of race hate in London. CPF has a long history of funding work to tackle racism. However, most of this work has focused on providing support to black and minority ethnic communities at the receiving end of racism, with far fewer approaches being made by organisations wanting to undertake prevention work. This special initiative aims to address this issue by providing funding for preventative work with potential perpetrators of race hate crime to change their attitudes and reduce the level of racial incidents.

Up to £400,000 over three years will be available to fund up to four projects. Applications are invited from voluntary and community sector organisations who, we believe, are in a good position to develop creative responses to these difficult problems. We are particularly keen to encourage organisations to consider how their work might contribute to challenging racist attitudes and how they will develop this work in a sensitive way. Collaborative projects will also be considered.

There will be an opportunity to find out more about the programme and to discuss any questions at a special meeting on Friday 16 June 2006 10-11.30am at the Foundation’s offices, 6 Middle Street, London EC1A 7PH.

If you would like to attend this meeting, please contact Jaspal Babra at jbabra@cityparochial.org.uk by 14 June 2006

Croydon Supplementary Education Project (CSEP) is a community education project providing extra support for students aged between 5 and 18. 130 students attend the project for two hours on Saturday.

Main focus at the project is developing competence/excellence of students in the core subjects of the National Curriculum (Maths, English and Science), by careful planning of these subjects CSEP aims to encourage and support students towards achieving their academic potentials.

CSEP is looking for an enthusiastic Classroom Teacher to work as an effective member of teaching team under the direction of the Key Stage Manager, to teach the core subjects of the National Curriculum.

Candidates must be able to:
• Prepare half-termly plans for teaching groups
• Maintain good classroom management
• Monitor students progress and report to Key Stage Manager
• Work with children from the BME Community

For further information, please contact Mrs Pat McCarthy, 020 8686 7865 or visit the website www.csep.org.uk