I am delighted to launch the Evaluation Report for Mali Enterprising Leaders (MEL). This 18 month project funded by Power to Change offers an important insight into the support needs, and aspirations of BAME led organisations with community. It also sheds light on the interventions offered, some of the main outcomes and impact achieved. The report makes as series of recommendations that will be of interest to other BAME led organisations but also to mainstream organisations and institutions which aim to actively support the development of the BAME social business sector. The report suggests that this is just the beginning of a much needed journey, especially as stories are still emerging about the urgent need to create more sustainable BAME led community spaces. We hope that those reading this report will take note of the lessons learnt and collaborate with us and others to create vibrant, inclusive and sustainable BME led community based spaces into the future.
Yvonne Field, Founder and Managing Director of The Ubele Initiative
Evaluation Report for Mali Enterprising Leaders (MEL) is our newest publication that documents the evaluation of the MEL project, the processes, the delivery contents and presents conclusions and recommendations. The report explores sustainable business models and effective succession planning to encourage participation of younger people and implementation of the next generation leadership.
It is another MEL key project output. In July 2018, we produced BME-led Community Enterprise Toolkit – “Cultivating Diversity”.
‘A Place to Call Home’ report (2015) found that there was an urgent need for targeted support, advice, capacity building, organisational development work and investment to help some of the BAME organisations retain and grow and in some cases gain new premises. The research we conducted was possible thanks to Locality.
We decided to help some of these community organisations involved in business enterprise and finally address the issue of support to enable some of these existing organisations to grow. We applied for funding to Power to Change to implement a programme of intervention with six black and minority ethnic community organisations in London and Manchester.
Mali Enterprising Leaders (MEL) became the first community business pilot project which sought to create community business opportunities intergenerationally within BAME community organisations in the UK.
As we mentioned above, last year we produced the first BME-led Community Enterprise Toolkit – “Cultivating Diversity”
On Saturday, 27th April 2019 we’re organising a 1-day course to support the use of the toolkit. We will share more information soon.
If you would like to already register your interest, please email us at info@ubele.org
