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In Our Name London Infrastructure Project 2009-2014 is a London lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) project managed by Kairos in Soho and delivered in partnership with London Friend, PACE and the Metro Centre.
In Our Name is comprised of the five components outlined below.
Learning Network
The aim of the Learning Network is to provide opportunities to learn about and inform each other, to work together and develop and reflect on practice. This network brings together officers, trustees and volunteers from LGBT VCOs, LGBT Forums and LGBT projects. Facilitated meetings with clear aims are held quarterly and are developed around priorities identified at previous meetings and through conversations between organisations and people.
The Almanac
The aim of the Almanac is to provide up-to-date statistical and strategic information about the LGBT volunatary and community sector (VCS) in London, so that diverse LGBT organisations can envision their strategic context and access an information base for planning and development. It will provide an annual snapshot of the work taking place, including for example, income, funding types; number of staff and volunteers, services provided and activities undertaken; plus contributions from individuals.
The Funding Network
The aim of the Funding Network is to influence the financial situation of LGBT VCOs. It will support the overall funding situation of the sector by providing joint initiatives and an overall funding plan.
Building on an initial meeting in July 2010, the November 2010 meeting of the Funding Network concentrated on developing an LGBT sector funding strategy/plan, which will inform the shape and priorities of the Funding Network in the future.
The Thinking Network
The aim of the Thinking Network is to develop policy positions together so that the sector, policy makers, service providers, funders, infrastructure organisations and statutory bodies are better informed and better able to serve and support LGBT people. It will provide space and opportunity to explore specific issues which emerge. A group might, for example, wish to develop policy around issues specific to the service that they provide, or to address external policy developments which are adversely affecting the community. ION will offer facilitation and support around emerging issues.
Innovation Hubs
The purpose of the Innovation Hubs is to enable small units, comprising organisations, funders, and infrastructure organisations, to learn together and support each other. LGBT VCOs will be paid a consultancy fee for their time and expertise and will be able to identify their main priorities for development. Also, and importantly, funders and infrastructure agencies in the group will have an experience that enables them to improve their organisation in relation to LGBT equality. The funder will not have a funding role, and the infrastructure organisation will not have an explicit support role. All parties will participate in mentoring, knowledge development and learning.
Borough-based Engagement
ION has grown out of the London Councils funded 'IN' Project. This project involved an exploration of local authority engagement with LGBT issues and the policy context in which we operate. A summary of this work is available from KiS:
The Borough by Borough Analysis of Local Authority Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Equalities Policies and Equalities Initiatives (2009, pdf)
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