Community organisers from across Coventry are being given the opportunity to develop their skills thanks to a new programme from Coventry City of Culture Trust in partnership with 64 Million Artists.
The Community Connectors programme has been launched to find eight local people from across Coventry who are passionate about their communities. These people might already be involved in organising community events and projects, or those who help to bring together local people around a common challenge or issue.
The programme aims to support these community champions to use their connections and build on their skills to create change in their area.
The selected individuals will benefit from training that will help them develop their ideas and abilities, which will culminate in each of the eight creating their own artistic community event by March 2021.
The programme, which is now open, will also offer mentoring and networking opportunities for successful applicants, as well as a £2,000 payment to cover expenses and a £2,000 budget to deliver an activity or event. Applications for the programme close on Friday 23rd October.
Chenine Bhathena, Creative Director of Coventry City of Culture Trust, said: “As we have engaged with communities right across Coventry, we have met some brilliant and accomplished Community Connectors in many different cultural communities, in all parts of the city, but we know there are many more of these people out there.
“People may not always consider themselves as being key community figures but the incredible work they do in their community and the trust their communities place in them makes them indispensable to our city.
“We want to find more of these outstanding people, build their skills and confidence over the coming months so that we can create an extended community-based team to ensure that City of Culture is created with and by everyone in the city.
“We hope citizens in Coventry will take up this great opportunity and put themselves forward. It is a chance for us to really support some of the great people who work every day in their communities to make our city great!”
For information on how to apply people should go to https://coventry2021.co.uk/jobs