Essex Community Foundation - Symposium and AGM - 2024

Join Essex Community Foundation (ECF) Community Symposium

Empowering Communities, Shaping the Future.

This year’s symposium will launch ECF’s new strategy, focusing on fostering stability, boosting investment, and championing a bold vision for a thriving civic society, helping to build communities where people feel safe, valued, included and involved.

The Sympoisum will be held in two sessions and will focus on addressing two critical questions to guide the future of the voluntary and community sector:

What innovative approaches can grassroots organisations adopt to empower communities and foster greater participation, inclusivity, and resilience in the face of increasing societal challenges.

How can the community sector build stronger collaborations with public and private sectors to ensure lasting social impact, while maintaining its independence and grassroots influence?

Immy Kaur - Co-Founder, CIVIC SQUARE - Immy is a leading voice in the movement to reclaim and reimagine urban spaces through the power of community. Her work is rooted in the belief that resilient, inclusive communities are built from the ground up, with local people driving change.

Dan Sutch - Director, CAST and Trustee of NCVO - Dan is at the cutting edge of the intersection between technology and social good. His work explores how digital tools, including AI, can transform the community sector, providing new pathways for organisations to enhance their impact.

Sebastian Rocca - CEO, Micro Rainbow - Sebastian has dedicated his career to creating spaces of safety and inclusion for LGBTI asylum seekers and refugees, some of the most marginalised individuals in our communities. His work is an example of how lived experience and grassroots initiatives can provide not just immediate relief but lasting dignity and opportunity.

Keisha Swaby - Senior Programme Manager, Centre for Public Impact - Keisha brings a wealth of experience in connecting the civic sector with public policy, ensuring that grassroots organisations have a voice in shaping the future. At the Centre for Public Impact, Keisha champions the idea that meaningful change must be driven by those most affected by societal challenges.

Table Discussions and Q&A

Once all speakers conclude in each session, they will pose a question each to the audience, which will be discussed on tables and relayed back. A Q&A will follow after.

Networking zones

Opportunity to meet others and discuss current issues in an informal setting with a focus on examining how the community sector can work alongside the public sector, how they can be the foundations of civic life, fostering greater participation, social equity, and community-led action. Discussions will also consider how civic society can navigate increasing demands and new government and shifting priorities, while holding steadfast to its role as a force for change.

Event Part 2:

ECF's Annual General Meeting will then take place from 6pm-9pm. Wine, soft drinks and canapés will be available in the evening.

When you register for this event, please make sure you select the correct ticket signaling which part of the day you plan to attend. There is the option to attend both parts. Spaces are limited so please don't delay registering.

If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] or give us a call on 01245 355947.

Host or Publisher Essex Community Foundation