The Equality Fund
Camden Giving set-up a community-first fund called the Equality Fund towards the end of 2020, to ensure that Camden communities are still able to access vital services that may not be replaced if not urgently funded. The fund awarded grants in April 2022 which support groups which address inequalities faced by young people and families, women, people of colour, disabled people and care leavers. In Camden these are the people being disproportionately impacted by poverty. However as of 2023, following a decision made by our alumni, the fund was awarded to groups which addressed the particular inequalities faced by people living with disabilities and/ or global majority.
We are a Participatory Funder, which means our funding decisions are made by residents from the local community, who are best informed to decide where funding to tackle the issues we wish to resolve should be spent. The Equality Fund was formed over many weeks of discussions, as part of Camden Giving’s participatory grant-making model, the community panel co-designed the application process and the fund criteria, working collectively to outline the aspirations for the fund.
2023 Grantees
Bengali Workers’ Association
Focusing on Camden's BME communities, particularly Bangladeshis providing tea&chat, daily meals, peer sessions, sewing class, seated exercise sessions, yoga and welfare advise.
IamIrish
Creating equitable and inclusive opportunities for Irish people and the Irish diaspora of Mixed Race, Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds to lead, respond and be represented.
Your Bike Project CIC
Working with underrepresented and adversely effected Camden residents, to run bike refurbishing and distribution alongside training, involving these residents in the designing and decision-making.
Lifeafterhummus Community Benefit Society
Tackling some of the inequalities and addressing the need for better climate resilience in Somers Town, helping residents to live healthy independent lives.
Camden United CIC
Instating a ‘Director of Young People’, providing more tailored support to the young people we serve, allowing us to expand the work we do beyond the football, fostering wider community relationships.
London Inclusion Sports Academy
Developing an ‘Academy and Inclusion Voice Platform’, allowing upskilling of more members, building confidence, and drive health and opportunity via inclusive sports.
Nuwave Pictures Ltd
Working with young people 18-25 who face inequalities especially in the pursuit of their career ambitions due to race or disability by providing tailored made life and career coaching sessions.
Somalis in Tech
Running an after-school code club, 9-13 year olds, introducing advanced modules and organising local hackathons and workshops addressing challenges faced by the Camden community.
2022 Grantees
Action Youth Boxing Intervention CIC
Providing young people with a safe place to get physically active, also incorporating non-contact boxing training with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy & Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy
BeLifted CIC
Providing an after school mother and daughter group with fitness and conversations, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds, including Asian, Muslim, and Black communities.
American International Church
Working with refugees, asylum seekers and other displaced migrants. Using a unique place at the intersection of broad and particular, local and international, to move beyond basic needs.
Camden United CIC
Using football as a means to engage with young people and build relationships, working with the most disadvantage young people with particular emphasis of those at risk of anti-social behaviour.
Aspierations CIC
Supporting the autistic community, with a focus on advocating and serving those who are work-ready and who aspire to meaningful and appropriate employment.
Creators House
Supporting young creatives aged 18-25, with an emphasis on black creatives in particular, who are more likely to face barriers to opportunities, by offering free studio spaces and therapy.
HealthProm
Working with Afghan and Ukrainan refugee women we organise joint activities for both communities, including join ESOL classes, arts therapy groups and other community events.
Highgate Black Women’s Wellness Group
Centred around the well being of black women, by bringing black women from different generations together with an emphasis on mental health support.
West Hampstead Woman’s Centre
Supporting women, regardless of cultural/ economic backgrounds, beliefs, abilities, sexual orientation or age by providing a supportive & safe space at a practical, social and emotional level.
Somers Town Space Community Interest Company
Supporting broad communities through a small community-led museum and using activities, to connect marginalised local people to their heritage.
2021 Grantees
Afro Pic Productions CIC
Develop and design an inclusive online creative writing platform, proactively promoting the diverse and authentic stories of children, using pre-designed BAME animated characters.
Brent Women’s Advisory Resource Centre
Combating poverty and social inequalities affecting disadvantaged ethnic minority families by facilitating access to information and referrals.
ALAG (Asperger London Area Group)
To develop work with underrepresented communities particularly in the south Asian, Chinese Asian and Afro-Caribbean communities as well as other protected groups
Ingestre Community Centre
Working to encourage social interaction. Enriching life through music and art, promoting good nutrition and finding creative ways to communicate and adapt where needed.
Bloomsbury Football Foundation
Providing a wider range of accessible activities throughout Camden launching and growing our new girls’ football programme and piloting a new disability football programme.
South Camden Community Trust
Supporting the Family Centre, committed to understanding the needs of different communities, recognising barriers and working with families to overcome these and to benefit from resources.
The CARAF Centre
Deliver educational & culturally relevant support services to support the holistic development and cohesion of BAME and disadvantaged children, young people and families.
The Sapphire Community Group
Supporting young BAME people (15-30 year olds) into work. Aim to support, train and empower them to gain access to work, accredited training and gain leadership development.
The Wellness Action Alliance (TWAA)
Working to reduce the inequality of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic parents, families and children which may also lead them to be at high risk, isolated or vulnerable designing activities in this ethos.
The Equality Fund 2023 was made possible thanks to the financial support from Google, Meta and Hat Trick Productions.
The Equality fund will next open for applications next year, 2025, if you’d like to receive updates on funding please email daniel@camdengiving.org.uk or sign up to our newsletter, below.