PRESS RELEASE: Civil Society Consulting and partners celebrate receiving National Lottery funding
The ENORB & CSC Teams at our offices in London on October 11, during the launch event of Steps to Togetherness.
Building connections within and between communities
Civil Society Consulting (CSC) Community Interest Company (CIC) is celebrating funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK, along with its key partners - the Faiths Forum for London (FFL) and Edinburgh Interfaith Association (IFA). £223,215 has been awarded to our East London-based non-profit, which will be used to promote connection and togetherness within and between communities across the UK.
Contact: Mark Ereira-Guyer, mark@civilsocietyconsulting.co.uk, +44 (0) 7913 818838 (Founder Director at CSC and Project Lead)
Introducing 32 Steps to Togetherness
Civil Society Consulting CIC (CSC) is thrilled to have the funding we need to launch our two-year project, 32 Steps to Togetherness.
32 Steps to Togetherness is a manual of 32 actions that we, as individuals, can take to build connections within and between communities, to reduce both loneliness and social fragmentation. The Steps to Togetherness project will mobilise the civil society and faith sector around this manual and vision to: (1) improve harmony and cohesion in communities, and (2) reinforce the message of cultural and religious tolerance more generally.
The innovative project will provide social action, faith and community leaders with meaningful encouragement, improved skills, and resources to build their capacity. Crucially, 32 Steps to Togetherness will strengthen mutual understanding and networks between social action, faith and community leaders across Scotland and England - using the manual as the basis for creating a shared goal. In other words, Civil Society Consulting and its key partners will reach faith-and belief-inspired social action leaders who are building connections within their communities, and connect them with each other behind the common goal of Togetherness.
About the 32 Steps to Togetherness manual
Cast your eyes over the 32 Steps here.
Natasha Ereira-Guyer, Founder Director of Civil Society Consulting CIC (CSC) has led the development of the 32 Steps to Togetherness manual. She explained: “At CSC we’ve taken a keen interest in loneliness and social fragmentation over the last four years. Having been commissioned to develop the UK Campaign to End Loneliness’ training programme in 2021, we realised that there is a causal relationship between the two: when we are experiencing loneliness, we are less trusting and tolerant of others, and it’s not difficult to see how these feeling give rise to social fragmentation.
“The only way to build connections is from the bottom up. So, we developed the 32 Steps to Togetherness manual (inspired by Jon Yates’ ‘Fractured’ book and our experience of working with grassroots organisations in a wide range of UK communities) which provides a comprehensive list of practical actions that we, as individuals, can take to build connections within and between our communities. The manual suggests: adjusting our thinking patterns and approach to interactions; developing social relationships in our local neighbourhoods and our workplaces; and making small but significant changes to our habits and hobbies. For example, my personal favourite, don’t let the fear of awkward moments stop you from having meaningful interactions.”
Access the full 32 Steps to Togetherness manual here.
Building a grassroots movement around the manual
The #32Steps to Togetherness project will target ‘grassroots’ civil society and faith organisations led by diverse communities, which are uniquely well-placed in those communities (CSC, 2023). #32 Steps to Togetherness is especially looking to engage younger leaders seen as key agents of change with the motivation to take the lead in shaping their futures. The CSC-led partnership will also collaborate with other thought leaders engaged in promoting mutual understanding, collaboration and anti racism, a number of whom have already become involved as supporting partners, under the existing #MakeRacismHistory banner: the European Network on Religion & Belief (ENORB) and the European Network Against Racism (ENAR).
Ultimately, the three key objectives of the Steps to Togetherness project are to:
● Raise awareness of, and counter the threat of, intolerance and racism
● Encourage pro-social behaviours and initiatives that empower communities to challenge divisive attitudes/behaviours and foster a positive sense of belonging
● Establish an infrastructure network that ensures a legacy showcasing the #32Steps.
#32Steps to Togetherness will be delivered through a wide range of activities with the #32Steps manual providing a ‘north star’ throughout. CSC, FFL and IFA will facilitate bi-monthly workshops, discussion sessions, inter-regional project exchanges and visits, capacity building and training of civil society and faith leaders (e.g. our Campaign to End Loneliness training). The project will be showcased (and therefore archived) on an interactive project website and 25 project/leader showcasing videos. The initiative will also be punctuated with quarterly engagement awareness and critical thinking sessions led by inspirational speakers or writers from a host of civil society/faith backgrounds.
The project builds upon the CSC team’s experience/networks from delivering Kinder Communities: Steps to Sustainability — a capacity-support building programme for organisations led by and for marginalised communities — which has been supported by The National Lottery Community Fund since 2020.
Our partners
The #32Steps to Togetherness project will be co-led by Civil Society Consulting, key partners, and, importantly, a Lived Experience Reference Panel. The programme of activities will be developed further based on consultations with the participating social action leaders, including through a workshop we held on October 11 in Civil Society Consulting’s offices in Hoxton, London.
Melissa Eaglesfield, Deputy Director of UK Portfolio at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, this funding will make a great difference in bringing ethnically diverse civil society organisations together across England and Scotland. Our ambition is to invest most in places, people and communities experiencing poverty, disadvantage and discrimination. I’m delighted that our funding is being used to create community-led networks which will enhance social integration and community cohesion.”
Emmanuel Achiri, Policy & Advocacy Advisor at European Network Against Racism, said: “As a pan European anti-racism network that facilitates cooperation among civil society anti-racism actors in Europe, including faith-based organizations, ENAR is excited to join the Civil Society Consulting CIC, Faiths Forum for London and Edinburgh Interfaith Association in celebrating togetherness, unity, tolerance and respect for every person.”
Mustafa Field OBE, Director, at Faiths Forum London, said: "Bringing People Together is at the heart of our mission at Faiths Forum for London, and we are thrilled to be part of this transformative initiative with Civil Society Consulting CIC and Edinburgh Interfaith Association. In today's world, where societal issues and divisions persist, this project underscores the power of collaboration between faiths and civil society. By countering hate ideologies and promoting compassion, we aim to replace 'othering' and discrimination with an appreciation for the uniqueness and value of every human life. Together, we can build a more harmonious, cohesive, and united society."
Iain Stewart, Executive Director, Edinburgh Interfaith Association, said: “We face many societal issues in the world today and it is only through ‘Bringing People Together’ across faiths and civil society in collaboration as this project will do that we can begin to address them. We are excited to be working with Civic Society Consulting CIC and the Faiths Forum For London, and with all faith communities to raise awareness of and to counter hate ideologies that lead to ‘othering,’ ‘labelling’ and discrimination based on perceived race or religious identity. Instead looking to replace hate ideology with one of compassion that recognises the uniqueness and value of every human life.”
Maryana Hynp, president of European Network on Religion and Belief (ENORB), said: “In these troubling post-pandemic times, it can be hard to find positive and engaging ways to get out there and meet people. '32 Steps to Togetherness' develops an accessible 'social prescribing' scheme: to open-up, connect and reconnect, while focusing on emotional and spiritual wellbeing as individuals and how we can all make Europe more tolerant, cohesive and united.”
Other contacts:
Mireia Rimbau, mireia@civilsocietyconsulting.co.uk (Project Support Associate)
Francesca Godfrey, francesca@civilsocietyconsulting.co.uk (Project Co-Lead for England)
Natasha Ereira-Guyer, natasha@civilsocietyconsulting.co.uk (leading on the development of the 32 Steps to Togetherness manual)
