Good news this week for the nine black and minority ethnic (BME) regional networks across England.  Government plans to pull the plug on vital network funding as early as March 2009 have been dashed and a £1.5 million reprieve is in the pipeline.

 

The proposed funding, provided by the government and third sector support agency Capacitybuilders, will secure the future of BME and more generalist regional networks for another two years and will ensure they can continue to deliver and influence government policy effectively. 

 

Third Sector bodies have spoken out in unison about this proposed reprieve.  Many have claimed the funding is “vital” if the voluntary sector is to continue to be the voice of England’s regions and have also suggested that, given the current economic climate, regional plans on how to tackle the looming recession are a must.

 

Source: Third Sector