Type: In-depth discussion

This is a session for funders and those who have previously led movements and received or applied for funding in support of their efforts. Together, we want to explore the tensions and power dynamics between activists and those who support them, focusing on your stories and experiences. Together with you, we aim to identify ways to manage these tensions and discuss actions and possible solutions, informed by experience from both, funders and activists. In addition to your stories, we will leverage insights from Nesta’s and CPI’s recent Foundation Horizon Scan.

Type: Challenge

Interactive session considering the range of relationships we establish when seeking, providing and enabling the exchange of funding in the creative arts space. Where does power reside and why does it matter? What relationships are important to democratise access to funds when working across large funding bodies and local groups and what does it take to shift, share and multiply power for greater benefits?

Type: in-depth discussion

Why should we use PGM? When should we use PMG? How do we use PGM?

Participatory Grant Making (PGM) is about devolving decision-making power to the very communities impacted by funding decisions. This session explores the different ways you can do this within a fund and starts a conversation off about whether and how we can start trailing and embedding this approach within funding decisions.

Type: Challenge

Local Trust provides funding and support to communities across the country, primarily through Big Local where 150 areas have been given at least a £1m each with no strings attached to spend as they see fit. That is not perhaps as easy to do as it sounds. It has both significant power to create lasting, positive change but does not come without its challenges and learning for both funders and people from local communities themselves.

Based on research conducted on behalf of the Blagrave Trust (https://thinkingdoingchanging.com/2020/01/13/learning-from-the-tide-of-youth-activism/)and hearing a youth-led movement this session will explore the implications for funders & commissioners in supporting youth activism and youth grassroots movements for change. The session will highlight the rationale, some of the challenges working in this way and the power dynamics that can play out – and be seeking your input and advice to real life questions.

Type: Challenge

Networks and movements that exist to challenge the dominant power dynamic often find themselves replicating it as they grow. It seems that they either formalise their governance, or don’t formalise yet leave in place informal, unnamed but still very real concentrations of power. The systems set up to fund and support such networks and movements can easily hasten or perpetuate this challenge. How big an issue is that? How can we find ways past it?