Greater Manchester Equality Alliance progress with work under the Accord
We are happy to share that the Greater Manchester Equality Alliance (GM=EqAl) are back up and running following a review of their mission, governance and priorities.
GM=EqAl lead on the Equalities work stream of the GM VCFSE Accord - a three-way collaboration agreement between the GMCA, NHS GM and the GM voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise(VCFSE) sector. GM=EqAl work to influence decision-making at the highest levels by channeling the expertise of grassroots groups, equality organisations and inclusion champions across Greater Manchester.
In practice, this means creating spaces and opportunities for VCFSE organisations to engage with GM partners on strategy development, and gathering intelligence and insight from the sector to produce helpful tools for public sector partners of the Accord - a recent example being including the voice of lived experience in policy making.
VSNW will host GM=EqAl until 31st March 2026 – a decision that was endorsed by the GM VCFSE Leadership Group last month, following a period of review with members and wider stakeholders to determine GM=EqAl’s future direction following the unfortunate closure of previous hosts, GMCVO, in November 2024. Ayisatu Emore, GM=EqAl Partnership Coordinator at VSNW said:
“I am pleased to have been flexibly and robustly supported to get ball rolling again with the unfortunate disruption we had to the work of GM=EqAl. The swift resumption of long-standing projects and new work attests to what can happen when resource and commitment aligns. There is more to do to secure long-term sustainability for our Working Group in this shifting landscape, but together we’re laying the foundations for a future shaped by the voices, experiences and leadership across our pan-equalities alliance.”
Upcoming work for GM=EqAl includes distributing £100k as part of the Live Well Fund to organisations supporting geographically dispersed communities of identity, experience and interest across Greater Manchester - more details will follow in the coming months.
Find out more about GM=EqAl and their work: www.vcfseleadershipgm.org.uk/work/gm-equality-alliance-gm-eqal
