Afro Innovation Group (AIG), in partnership with De Montfort University, presents evidence and policy recommendations on the structural barriers facing migrant-led organisations (MLOs) in the UK.
Drawing on doctoral research, participatory inquiry, and lived experience from ten migrant-led organisations in Leicester and the Midlands, this work highlights how current funding systems undervalue migrant leadership, restrict organisational development, and concentrate decision-making power away from the communities most affected.
This brief calls for a shift beyond project grants towards funding models that resource organisations, redistribute power, and enable migrant-led actors to lead systemic social change.
KEY MESSAGES
POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
To unlock the leadership and sustainability of migrant-led organisations, funders and policymakers should:
01
Fund organisations, not just projects, through multi-year and core funding models.
03
Embed lived experience in decision-making across funding panels and governance structures
05
Shift from competitive to collaborative funding models that support shared infrastructure.
02
Redesign eligibility criteria to recognise community accountability over institutional form.
04
Invest in leadership and organisational development, including systems and infrastructure.
06
Adopt trust-based funding relationships that reduce bureaucracy and prioritise dialogue.
What AIG can offer stakeholders
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A 30-minute policy briefing for MPs, officials, councils, and partners
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Support to convene grassroots consultation safely and ethically
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Practical proposals for monitoring, learning, and accountability
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Partnership pathways with diaspora and community-led networks
Contact
For policy engagement and partnership enquiries:
Email: leicester1@afroinno.org | Phone: 0116 208 1340