Refugees Help Refugees, in a Grant Program to Inspire and Empower

The borough of Islington in north London, England, uses a grant program to empower migrants and refugees, helping them build their future and integrate smoothly into their host society.

“We’ve got 250,000 residents in Islington. How many know we’re a Borough of Sanctuary? Probably not that many,” explains Sheila Chapman, an Islington councilor who leads on equalities, communities, and inclusion. “I want all 5,000 people who work for Islington council to know we’re a Borough of Sanctuary.”

As part of the Borough of Sanctuary grants programme, the council recruits 18 people living in Islington, with backgrounds from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Ukraine and more, to decide how the $647,000 in funding should be allocated. The panelists are evenly split between men and women, ranging from recently arrived refugees to more established migrants who have called Britain home for decades. Four members are under 24 and one is over 65. Their insights help newcomers overcome the challenges of navigating a new country, language barriers, and the complexities of the asylum process. Each panelist receives comprehensive training, including sessions on grant-making, communication skills, unconscious bias, and guidance on evaluating applications and setting funding criteria. The panel identifies priorities for the grants, going from immigration advice and language support to access to healthcare and housing assistance, all while emphasizing the importance of joyful activities and cultural integration.