The international visit organised by Building and Social Housing Foundation (BSHF) to the award-winning solar-house project in Gardsten, Sweden in May 2006, was an experience which the participants found exceeding their wildest dreams. MODA’s Director has promised to write a full report including all lessons learnt from the experience from organisation of the event to the various aspects of the process and outcomes of the project and Swedish way of thinking and achieving!. There are invaluable lessons to be learnt about how to achieve excellence through vision, participation, partnership and sustainable thinking.

For the first part of his report click here.

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 0590, or email her at Alexyangzi@yahoo.com.

Refugee Week is a UK-wide programme of arts, cultural and educational events that celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK, and promote understanding about the reasons why people seek sanctuary. This year, Refugee Week will take place from 19th to 25th June.
There is no specific theme for Refugee Week 2006. Instead, the events should be organised around the idea that Refugee Week is a space of encounters between different communities and an opportunity to use more creative ways to address relevant issues and attract new audiences.
Every year during Refugee Week hundreds of arts, cultural and educational events are organised across the UK. In 2005, there were over 450 small and large events, ranging from big music festivals and art exhibitions to political debates, film screenings, conferences, school activities, sports and community events etc.

To find information about events in your area, please visit: www.refugeeweek.org.uk
To see the full Events Calendar click here.

You can show your support for Refugee Week by organising an event in your local area, or supporting existing activities by volunteering or donating. To find out more about this or to get further information, please visit the Get Involved section of the Refugee Week website (click here).

18 June 2006, Venue Bernie Spain Gardens, Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE1

Part of the Refugee Week 2006, Celebrating Sanctuary is a cultural cornucopia of music, dance, performance, art and much more presented by established and emerging artists from London’s refugee communities. Such a vibrant panorama of sight and sound, aroma and taste would simply not exist had it not been for the UK’s hard fought tradition of providing sanctuary to those fleeing persecution. The event also provides a platform for new performances and artworks - the culmination of outreach projects involving refugee artists.

The full programme is available on http://www.refugeeweek.org.uk/InYourArea/London/Events/
For further information contact 0207 346 6752

22nd June 2006, 5pm - 9pm
Venue: Bishop Creighton house, 378 Lillie Road, Fulham SW6 7PH

Hammersmith & Fulham Refugee Forum have organised a Refugee Week event with the theme of football which will see a mini 5-a-side tournament between Refugee Community Teams and Local Business Teams to help bring together different communities and attract new audiences in celebrating the positive contribution Refugees & Asylum Seekers have made to the borough of Hammersmith & Fulham. Refugee Community Organisations will have stalls to display their important work, services and achievements within the borough. Plus, there will also be multiculturalCome and join this year's Refugee Week Celebrations.

If you would like to attend please contact Abi on 0207 386 9060 or email abi@hfrf.org
For more information please visit: www.hfrf.org/services

Open Forum evening discussion on Community issues related to Asylum and Migration
Monday 26 June 2006 6.30pm-9pm; Stratford Library, The Grove, E15

People seeking asylum and those working in the field often feel overwhelmed by pressures, bureaucracy and difficulties in community. The Open Forum is a space for dialogue about these issues, including diverse views and feelings. The idea for this forum grew out of a conversation between a team within the Community Health Centre who work with refugees and people seeking Asylum in East London, and CFOR (Community Force for Change), an organisation devoted to community forums. Many people feel that it is difficult to have any influence in our communities. Yet, we all tend to have strong opinions, feelings and experiences that could be essential and valuable for our communities. The forum will begin with short introductory comments from various backgrounds and views. We will then have an open discussion, and the opportunity for diverse opinions and feelings to be expressed and interact.
Time will be provided for small groups and networking. It is for all community groups and interested community members, as well as people working in voluntary and statutory agencies. The forum is organised by Community Health Centre (Waltham Forest PCT) and CFOR, and is also supported by EMF (European Multicultural Foundation) and Diversity Matters

If you would like more information, travel details, or to confirm your attendance, please contact: Nihad Fathi on 0208 928 2247 or Stanya on 0208 297 1053, Nihad.fathi@wf-pct.nhs.uk or stanya@btinternet.com

Friday, 30 June 2006 (4pm to 9pm) at 5 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7XW.

GHARWEG Advice, Training & Careers Centre is organising a public seminar on the recent politics of immigration to the UK and the causes of such migration. All 3 mainstream parties have been invited as panellists and as well as other specialists in the immigration field. All are invited.

Contact phone: 0207 620 1430 for M Bawa.

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.

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

Publisher: IPPR; Author: Vivien Lowndes, Lawrence Pratchett and Gerry Stoker; Price: £5.95

Is there really anything anyone can do to encourage civic life and increase public engagement in political life? The research presented here suggests clearly that there is. The authors argue that while poverty and inequality and community strength help shape levels of political participation, they do not determine them. The way institutions work and the way those in charge behave makes a difference to whether people choose to participate. This book is based on research undertaken in the localities of Middlesbrough, Hull, Merton, Sutton, East Hampshire and Vale of White Horse.

For further information and to order a copy click here.

Closing date for applications: 7th 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 for you to find out more about the programme and to discuss any questions you may have at a special meeting on Friday 16th 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 14th June 2006.

Full details of the programme are available from the City Parochial Foundation’s website on www.cityparochial.org.uk or from: City Parochial Foundation, 6 Middle Street, London EC1A 7PH, 020 7606 6145

Closing date for applications: 28th July 2006

Community projects inspired by the Christian faith are being invited to apply for the Faithworks Awards 2006. Faithworks is a national movement that aims to empower and inspire individual Christians and local churches to develop their role within their community. The aim of the awards are to promote awareness of community work being done by projects motivated by the Christian faith in the UK, and inspire further Christian activism throughout the country. In particular, the judges will be looking for projects that have responded to local needs and that have had a positive impact on their local community. Three awards of £5,000 plus consultancy support are available (Source: Grantsonline)

For further information: http://www.faithworks.info/SubSection.asp?ID=3318

Closing date for applications: 31st August 2006

Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) are one-stop locations where victims of sexual assault can receive medical care and counselling, and have the opportunity to assist the police investigation into alleged offences.
Funding for 2006-07 is available to partnerships of Police Forces and Primary Care Trusts (or Local Health Boards in Wales), ideally in partnership with the voluntary sector, that plan to develop a SARC in their area. Applications from partnerships led by voluntary organisations are also eligible, as long as police and health partners are included. Funding is available in England and Wales. The total funding available for 2006 – 7 is £420,000 and maximum funding per project is £70,000.

For further information click here.

The Guardian Newspaper, together with Unltd, the Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs, have jointly launched the Guardian Social Entrepreneurship Awards. A total of £500,000 is available to individuals around the UK who have innovative ideas to tackle social and environmental issues. Two levels of awards are available. Level 1 awards of up to £5,000 are available to people who need help getting their project off the ground. Level 2 awards of up to £20,000 are available to individuals whose existing projects can be scaled up to create a sustained impact within their community. In addition, the winners will also receive consultancy support. The deadline for applications is the 30th June 2006 (Source: Grantsonline)

For further information: http://society.guardian.co.uk/unlimitedvision/0,,1776158,00.html

£15,459 Pro Rata ;Contract until 19 December 2006; Closing date: 7 June 2006

The UK government is committed to a refugee resettlement programme whereby people fleeing persecution are selected and processed in the region of origin and brought to the UK with their status already determined. Under this scheme a specific quota of refugees will be coming to the UK for permanent resettlement. The scheme formally began on 1st April 2003 with the first arrivals in Yorkshire and Humberside. A new group of Burmese and Karen refugees are planned to arrive in June 2006.
The Resettlement interpreting team will be key interface between Refugee Council front line staff, Safe Haven staff, health service staff, job centre staff, and other agencies, and users of the service. The team performs a vital role in allowing clients to express their needs and thus facilitating their access to the Refugee Council and external services through providing a high standard of interpreting services. The post-holder will be required to provide quality interpreting services between staff and users of the services, in accordance with the organisation’s code of conduct and other relevant policies and procedures. The post holder will also be required to support the production and dissemination of client information by carrying out translation and proof reading duties.
You will have experience of providing interpreting services in either a health, legal or advice giving capacity and, preferably, a recognised qualification in interpreting. It is essential for you to have fluency in English and the language offered, along with the ability to maintain an unbiased approach and interpret fully and accurately in a culturally sensitive manner. An understanding of confidentiality and the importance of impartiality in interpreting are needed. You must have excellent inter-personal skills and the ability to work within a team, establishing good working relationships with colleagues and other teams within the Refugee Council. Your commitment to Equal Opportunities and to the work of the Refugee Council will be equally important.

For further information and an application pack click here.

£21,588 ; two year fixed-term contract ; Ipswich ;Closing Date: 07/06/2006

Refugees and asylum seekers arriving in the UK can find themselves facing a hostile reception. Many feel isolated, lonely and unable to rebuild their lives or develop links with the community. This is why the Refugee Council, as the UK’s leading charity working with asylum seekers and refugees, works with the Voluntary Sector Refugee Network (VSRN) in the East of England to support more than 100 voluntary and community organisations working with refugees across the region. With a new grant from the Big Lottery Fund, we’re ideally placed to drive forward the network on all fronts. You’ll help us succeed.

Active across the region, you’ll ensure the VSRN further enhances the effectiveness of its members. This will see you enhancing communications with members, broadening the membership base and organising research projects and regional events. You’ll also assess the development needs of member organisations and build a programme of training and other support to meet those needs. And you’ll forge senior contacts with statutory and voluntary bodies across the region, in order to maximise our impact. An excellent communicator and negotiator, with skills in organising events and training, you’ll thrive in this role. You understand how voluntary organisations work and you know how best to meet their development needs. You’re comfortable working in partnership and have a good knowledge of the issues faced by, and UK policies relating to, the asylum seekers and refugees that VSRN members work with. Crucially, you’re able to travel across the East of England.

For further information and an application pack click here.

The Council for Assisting Refugee Academics (CARA) is entering an exciting and challenging period of changing. We are seeking key members to sustain and develop our services to academic refugees and the broader refugee community as well as to contribute to our reputation as an innovative and dynamic charity.

Closing Date: 20 June 2006 Location: Central London

Deputy Executive Secretary (£30,500 p.a.). We are seeking someone who will play a very significant role in developing a new university support network and have lead responsibility for CARA’s grant programme and information and advice service. You should have experience of project and staff management and advanced fundraising skills.

Administrative Officer (£20,000 p.a.). The postholder will be a self-starter responsible for maintaining and developing office systems, dealing with correspondence and assisting with the general work of CARA.

Further details are available from: www.academic-refugees.org or by writing to info.cara@lsbu.ac.uk or CARA, London South Bank University, Technopark, 90 London Road, London SE1 6LN

£35,589 to £38,088 inc. ILW North London; Ref: LVSC-PNM
The closing date is 5pm, Friday 16th June 2006. Interviews 4th July.

LVSC’s Policy and Networks Team helps London’s voluntary sector understand, engage with and influence public policy on a local, regional and national level.
Leading the Policy and Networks Team, you will work with the London CVS Network, Voluntary Sector Forum, Third Sector Alliance and key London Government agencies to support policy development. You will have a strong, practical understanding of issues affecting the voluntary and community sector and be able to analyse and translate a wide range of public policy initiatives for the sector. You will support and develop networks and empower them to advocate to public policy makers. And you will lead, develop and support the team to take this work forward.

For an application pack, please visit www.lvsc.org.uk/jobs or call 020 7700 8107.