Summary
Contribute to Migration Exchange’s much-needed fund to boost leaders and drive impact in the refugee and migration sector
Aims and activities
Aims and questions
Aims and activities
Shaping the Future is a pooled fund designed through a participatory approach. Lived experience leadership is at its core, with a ‘Co-Creation Group’ of 10 experts who collaboratively shaped the grant offering and will decide how funds are distributed.
The fund aims to build a resilient, diverse, and impactful UK refugee and migration sector, strengthening leadership to tackle urgent challenges and drive transformative change. It will fund individuals, organisations and networks, and it seeks to:
-Strengthen leadership through skill-building and knowledge development
-Support leaders’ wellbeing and resilience
-Advocate for systemic change and sustainability
With overwhelming interest since applications opened in January 2025, the demand is clear. We appeal to other funders to contribute to this, ensuring more leadership initiatives get the support they need.
How to get involved
Migration Exchange (MEX) is interested both in hearing from those who would like to contribute to this pooled fund, as well as those interested in funding leadership development in the refugee and migration sector generally. We are looking for funders interested in progressive approaches to funding, in participatory grantmaking and in shifting power and resources.
With political discourse increasingly shaping migration policies in harmful ways, there’s never been a greater need to support leaders in this space.
For further information and discussion, please contact Marchu Belete, MEX Co-Director
Who's involved
Who was involved
A B Charitable Trust, Barrow Cadbury Trust, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Rayne Foundation, Refugee Council, The Henry Smith Charity, This Day Foundation and Unbound Philanthropy are contributing to the pooled fund.
Learning and Resources
Blog by Co-Director Marchu Belete reflecting on the launch of the Shaping the Future fund and the values behind it
2022 research report: A snapshot of leadership development in the UK refugee and migration sector
Initial concept note for more background on the development of the fund.
