The Ubele Initiative - Booska Paper: Exposing structural racism in the third sector | April 21st, 2021

"National funders urged by Black and minoritised community organisations to address structural racism and demonstrate commitment in their long-term strategies Although funders are now acknowledging the importance of addressing entrenched inequalities, it remains to be seen whether tackling systemic racism will feature in their long-term strategies this year. For over ten years, The Ubele Initiative has built sustainable communities without receiving adequate support and recognition. Now, in a convening role, they lead crucial research on behalf of local, regional and national Black and minoritised infrastructure organisations in the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. The findings based on experiences of Black and minoritised community leaders in the sector have just been published. The Booska Paper exposes structural racism in the third sector and explores the impact of the pandemic on funding attitudes in the UK. It highlights the crisis of confidence in the sector accompanied with the feeling of not deserving of funding; culture of competition being bred; diversity and inclusion efforts being confused with demonstrating anti-racism; and lack of transparency about which applications are being turned down and for what reasons. These are only some of the issues that, according to the Booska Paper, need to be addressed by the funders and policy makers to help us create a more just and racially equitable society where all communities can flourish...."