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Nottingham connected News & Sports 11 GAIN DIASPORA NOTTINGHAM: AFRICAN COMMUNITIES INVITED TO JOIN THE NETWORK Africans in Nottinghamshire have been called upon to join the newly established African Network. This organisation will provide enhanced networking and partnerships among the many African groups, businesses, organisations and individuals in the region. Global African Integration Network (GAIN) Diaspora was established by eight local African organisations to increase partnership and networking opportunities. GAIN came to be after many African-led organisations found that they shared common problems of limited capacity, knowledge and networking opportunities. Research carried out by various groups have also found that most individuals are in the dark about what is happening in their community. There was also a common consensus that there are many competent organisations doing great work but they barely work together, network or partner in their work which weakens the ability of Africans in the Diaspora. GAIN Diaspora was established to meet these needs by bringing together Africans by supporting the existing organisations and supporting upcoming African led groups. It will also offer advice, support, training and other practical services to Africans in Nottinghamshire and African-led groups and organisations in the region. The key aim of GAIN is to bring African organisations together to have one voice, support them to access practical information and services. It will also support and partner in community events and foster partnerships with different stakeholders to helps these groups to build their capacity, continuity and sustainability. This will be achieved through GAIN Diaspora Services and activities which will include, but not be limited to:  Support integration, networking and partnerships among African organisations and individuals in Nottinghamshire  Provision of information, advice and signposting services to these groups and individuals  Fostering and promoting culture of partnerships, inter-trade and interactions  Promote actions, processes and factors that encourage social inclusion  Building the capacity of individuals and organisations through provision of training, mentoring, business development and capacity building  Encouraging enterprise and skills development as a means of overcoming poverty, exclusion and limited competitiveness  Offering advocacy and support services on behalf of these organisations and their members  Developing a common database and communication tool to help better information and knowledge acquisition, sharing and usage  Creating infrastructure to organise events and activities, support partnerships development and community  Developing strategies and models to support women and girls empowerment programmes GAIN Diaspora will operate with two main strands. First is the Nottingham African Women Network, which will deliver girls and women empowerment programmes and GAIN Support which will focus on all other areas of GAIN’s organisational development and partnership support processes. For more information, to join or partner with GAIN Diaspora, and for details on the upcoming launch date, contact GAIN Diaspora Team on: General: 07946303384 Women: 07794372214 Information: 01158457009 167 Alfreton Road, NG7 3JR [email protected] www.gaindiaspora.co.uk