Active Faith Communities Programme

Introduction

The potential for faith groups as a stimulant and focus for community activity has long been recognised:

‘The vital regenerating, life-enhancing role of faith communities re-connecting people and encouraging them to work together to serve each other must no longer be neglected’
John Battle MP

John Battle went on to argue that faith groups along with their buildings have a supremely significant part to play in the rebuilding of a more inclusive and more human 21st Century Britain.

Active Faith Communities is an innovative multi-faith, multi-cultural charity set up in 2003, specifically focused on equipping faith communities in West Yorkshire to unlock their potential for developing social and community projects in partnership with the wider VCFS. Faith groups are uniquely placed to work with the local communities in which they are based to develop projects for the common good; however they often need advice, information and support to develop projects. AFCP exists to fill this gap.

AFC’s vision is of a world where faith communities work in partnership to create a fair, inclusive and sustainable society and its mission is to maximise the ability of faith groups to work with others to play a part in fulfilling the potential of their communities, and to build bridges between communities of all faiths and none.

AFC’s current aims for the period 2008 to 2011 are:

• To build the capacity of the sector
• To build bridges and create cohesion
• To empower local faith-based organisations to lobby and influence decision makers

AFC’s current activities include:

• Organising and delivering regular Intercultural Communication and Leadership Seminars, a residential Programme aimed at 18 to 30 year old community activists from different cultural and faith communities
• A capacity building project supporting faith based community development and social action projects with areas such as governance, organisational development, and fundraising.
• Cohesion projects on the Holmewood Estate in Bradford and in Beeston, South Leeds .

AFC’s Structure. AFC is governed by a Board of Directors drawn from a number of different faiths including Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism.