The City Belonging Project is a new initiative to build a more inclusive and connected Square Mile, supporting and improving the links between diversity networks – and ensuring that the City’s institutions and events are more open to our communities than ever before.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The City Belonging Project is a new initiative to build a more inclusive and connected Square Mile, supporting and improving the links between diversity networks – and ensuring that the City’s institutions and events are more open to our communities than ever before.

The unique power of the Square Mile rests in our diversity – bringing together more than half a million people from every imaginable community to work, live, inspire and innovate within a few minutes of one another. As we put the pandemic behind us, this human connection has never been more crucial. At its best, the City is more than just somewhere to work, but a community where everyone belongs.

WHAT WILL WE DO?

At the City of London Corporation, we have always played a vital role bringing the City together. Through the City Belonging Project, we and our partners will help make this vision a reality.

We will:

  • Ensure our events, activities and spaces are more inclusive and better promoted to members of our community, especially those in diversity networks.

  • Use our convening power to bring together groups and individuals from across the City to create and incubate new inter-company networks.

  • Promote the growth of new and existing diversity groups at workplaces of all sizes, signposting to partners with specialist expertise to support their development.

  • Ensure that cultural events and activities across the Square Mile are better advertised and promoted, and facilitate the creation of new events that directly serve the needs of our community.

  • Help to provide a warm welcome for new starters in the City, and do whatever we can to introduce them to the Square Mile and its community.

  • Promote democratic engagement within the City, encouraging those from under-represented groups to stand in City elections and get involved in the civic life of the Square Mile.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

We hope that all organisations in the Square Mile join us in this mission and help us to make the aims of the City Belonging Project a reality.

We hope that you will:

  • Work with us to ensure events across the City match the needs and interests of you and your colleagues, including those from under-served communities.

  • Encourage the participation of members of your staff in City life by sharing information with them – and letting us know when you hold events others can attend.

  • Support the success of new and existing diversity networks and community groups both within your own workplace and across the City.

  • Work with us to deepen the sense of connection members of your team feel with the Square Mile, including helping new starters feel part of the community.