Evidence from Black Voluntary Sector

To the Clerk of the Committee:

In response to your call for evidence from the perspective of the Black Voluntary Sector these are some of our views and the views presented to us by number of organisations in the BME sector.

Taking on board your terms of reference and the issues you are seeking views about

1. Ease or difficulty of obtaining funding from the Welsh Assembly Government or relevant national bodies. (Need clarification on National bodies do you refer to National lottery EHRC, Home office, LA?)

The issues raised by the BME sector are consistent and have been discussed with funding bodies and amongst ourselves for a long time. There is a perception that funding is harder to come by for the BME sector and these are some of the reasons the sector feels play a role in the difficulties

The requirements to obtain funding seem to be the same whether you are a big national organisation or small one. Also if the amount requested is either small or large the same criteria applies.
WCVA doesn’t represent the BME sector interest effectively. These could be due to a lack of expertise or knowledge of the issues and realities affecting our communities
No support given from national mainstream organisations or CVC’s to the BME sector when looking and requesting funding
Credibility and inside knowledge of the BME sector within the Assembly and other national mainstream bodies
Not enough representation of the BME population in the Assembly, Local Authorities or National bodies providing funding
"Some times it seems that organisations obtain funding depending on who you know and not on what you know”
Perception from BME organisation that white lead equality organisations are more likely to obtain funding

2. Ease or difficulty in complying with constrains or conditions placed on funding

Not enough support or resources provided to build a strong Black Voluntary sector
Not enough support available from mainstream bodies for long term sustainability
The expected outcomes do not match resources.
Lack of experience from new groups or funders want innovative projects.
When organisations are established, providing services and raised expectations from client group, funding is stopped

3. Issues related to the duration or timing of funding

Short term funding, duration of funding doesn’t allow proper establishment of organisations
Reporting systems could be complicated and could frighten community groups to apply again

4. Any other comments relevant to the enquiry

For the Welsh Assembly Government to undertake full equality impact assessment in their implementation policy
To ensure that equalities issues are represented at policy level for example at any working group
For equality issues to be mainstreamed.

Maria Constanza Mesa
Acting Director at BVSNW