Update
This years (2024) Expression of Interest (EOI) round for Agbero 2100 has closed.
We received 132 EOI submissions, demonstrating strong interest from Black and racially minoritised community-led organisations across England.
Agbero 2100 Overview
Agbero 2100 is a national strategic intervention that supports community leaders to challenge systemic racial inequality through the development of sustainable infrastructure, thriving community assets, robust intergenerational leadership, and flourishing local enterprises.
To learn more about the significance of the name "Agbero" and why it was chosen for Agbero 2100, please click here.
Building on the action research framework from our latest report, A Place to Call Home 2.0 (2023), Agbero 2100 introduces a Preparatory and Readiness Typology to assess the development levels of Black and racially minoritised community businesses:
Level 1: Development phase
Level 2: Developing organisation
Level 3: Developed organisation
Level 4: Highly developed organisation
A ‘Baseline Assessment’ is used within Agbero 2100 to assess organisations against six key domains listed below to measure their level of development and identify bespoke development support:
Governance and Leadership
Operations and Infrastructure
Financial Resources
Physical Asset Ownership
Impact and Effectiveness
Connectedness and Engagement.
Research & Learning:
Earlier this year we introduced new research, A Place to Call Home 2.0 (APTCH 2.0) on the benefits of owning community assets. Via Agbero 2100 we will collect insights from the process of iteratively designing new infrastructure that supports communities to sustainably control or own assets.
Assessment & Development Framework:
We are implementing the Preparatory and Readiness Typology from APTCH 2.0 by delivering Agbero LIVE webinars for up to 132 organisations and conducting Baseline Assessments for 32 organisations.
Targeted Support & Impact:
This intervention will connect up to 50 organisations with Masterclasses and Training, and provide up to 7 days of culturally appropriate consultancy to support 32 organisations to sustainably control or own a building.
Agbero 2100 Explained: Watch the Highlights from our National Launch Event here
Intervention Phases
PHASE 1
National Launch: Introduce Agbero 2100 and present the APTCH 2.0 research findings.
Roadshow: Conduct workshops across six English regions to introduce Agbero 2100, engage with the APTCH 2.0 report, and explore the six domains from the new Preparatory and Readiness Typology.
PHASE 2
Agbero LIVE: Host webinars to spotlight community leaders, explore key concepts, and engage the network with presentations from the Ubele team, strategic partners, and national infrastructure bodies.
Baseline Assessment: Assess eligible* organisations using the Preparatory and Readiness Typology from APTCH 2.0 to create development plans.
Outreach Workers: Provide eligible* organisations with access to Outreach Workers across Southwark, Lewisham, Haringey, and Lambeth in London.
PHASE 3
Communities of Practice Forums: Create collaborative spaces for leaders to connect, share knowledge, and develop their practice using Action Learning Sets.
Consultancy Support: One-on-one guidance to support eligible* organisations implement specific actions from their Phase 2 Baseline Assessment.
Masterclasses + Training: Deliver targeted masterclasses and innovative training sessions for eligible* organisations led by industry experts.
* Activities may be restricted to certain regions, boroughs, or organisations due to funding requirements or selection processes for the 2024 Agbero 2100 Programme + Development Support.
Beverley Glean MBE, talks about IRIE! dance theatre and their aspirations for community ownership
Why We Need Agbero 2100
Agbero 2100 addresses ongoing challenges faced by Black and racially minoritised communities in the UK. The Ubele Initiative's 2015 research, 'A Place to Call Home,' highlighted threats to community assets, lack of targeted support, and the gentrification of traditional neighbourhoods. This initiative also responds to heightened awareness of racial inequalities, underscored by the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 and the murder of George Floyd in 2020.
Building on the impactful findings of our initial research, we commissioned ‘A Place to Call Home 2.0’ in 2021. This provided further insights into the scale of community asset loss and developed a tool for organisations to assess and guide their development stages, aiding in addressing both short-term and long-term support needs.
Ubele will document and share the insights from Agbero 2100, aiming to produce innovative ideas and create a tested model to inform broader practices and systemic change. The programme is introducing participants to various approaches, including systems thinking, scenario planning, new economic systems, and financial performance, with the goal of achieving more equitable outcomes for Black and racially minoritised communities.
Listen to Karl Murray discuss his research, A Place to Call Home 2.0
Agbero 2100 is jointly funded by Propel London and Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust.
The Ubele Initiative and our work in Community Wealth Building receives core funding from The Oak Foundation and The National Lottery Community Fund.
Visit the Agbero 2100 playlist on YouTube
