Bantu Community CIC Secures National Lottery Funding to Launch Youth Identity & Creative Connections Project
Supporting young people to celebrate their heritage, develop confidence and build stronger community connections.
Bantu Community CIC is delighted to announce that we have successfully secured funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to launch our new initiative, Bantu Youth Identity & Creative Connections.
This exciting 12-month project will create opportunities for young people aged 12–25 from Bantu, African, refugee, migrant and other ethnically diverse communities across Leicester and Leicestershire to explore their cultural identities, develop creative skills and build meaningful relationships.
The project marks an important milestone in Bantu Community CIC's commitment to empowering young people, celebrating cultural diversity and strengthening community cohesion.
About the Project
Bantu Youth Identity & Creative Connections recognises the importance of cultural identity, belonging and positive opportunities in young people's personal and social development.
Through a programme of creative, cultural and leadership activities, the project will provide safe and inclusive spaces where young people can express themselves, share experiences, discover their talents and connect with others.
Activities will include:
Creative arts workshops: Opportunities to explore artistic expression, develop new skills and celebrate creativity.
Music and cultural heritage: Engaging activities celebrating African cultural traditions, music and identity.
Storytelling and intergenerational connections: Bringing young people and community members together to share experiences, cultural knowledge and personal stories.
Youth leadership and personal development: Building confidence, communication skills, teamwork and leadership potential.
Community events and showcases: Celebrating young people's achievements while promoting cultural understanding and stronger relationships across communities.
Creating Opportunities for Young People
The project aims to engage approximately 60 young people directly, with wider benefits for families and local communities.
By participating, young people will have opportunities to strengthen their confidence, improve their well-being, develop creative and leadership skills, and build a stronger sense of cultural identity and belonging.
The initiative will also contribute to reducing social isolation and encouraging positive connections between young people from different backgrounds.
Importantly, the project has been shaped by conversations with young people, parents, families and community members who highlighted the need for more accessible, culturally relevant and meaningful youth activities.
A New Chapter for Bantu Community CIC
This funding represents an important step in turning our community's ideas and aspirations into practical opportunities for young people.
We are grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund and National Lottery players for making this initiative possible.
As the project gets underway, we look forward to working with young people, families, volunteers, creative practitioners and local community partners to bring these activities to life.
Get Involved
We welcome young people, parents, volunteers, artists and community organisations interested in participating in or supporting the project.
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