With funding from City Bridge Trust, the Refugee Council is helping RCOs in London to develop skills and knowledge to champion the needs and aspirations of refugees and people seeking asylum in London. With this funding, we are working together with RCOs in London to establish an RCO-led advocacy forum to engage with policy and decision makers and to influence decisions that affect refugee communities in London. RCO members of the forum will have a stronger voice and the opportunity to participate in debates aimed at bringing positive change for refugee communities in London.

With funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, the Refugee Council is working in partnership with HEAR Network, other organisations and experts on the NetEquality project, to explore the use of mapping to facilitate collaboration and solidarity between RCOs and other voluntary and community organisations across London. Mapping and connecting RCOs between them and with other organisations in London will help them to know each other, to build relationships, to share information, experience, best practice and resources. Most importantly the project will explore ways in which RCOs could build  the networks and partnerships they need to build solidarity and to work together to overcome the challenges facing their communities in London.

Timely information is essential to the work of refugee community organisations. RCO Connect contains useful funding information, training and networking opportunities, consultations, campaigns and other opportunities to influence policy, strategic planning and services.

We provide free organisational development training to RCOs. This includes fundraising and other forms of income generation, partnership development and collaboration, and measuring and demonstrating impact.

We also organise pan-London events to facilitate debate, share best practice and address common challenges. Involving refugees, RCO leaders, mainstream providers, policy makers and funders, they give RCOs the opportunity to contribute ideas on how best their needs can be met.

The organisational self-assessment tool is a quality assurance resource for organisations that want to make sure that they are developing according to best practice. The tool is especially helpful for those that are developing or struggling to sustain their services in a more competitive and demanding funding environment. It also helps identify the best resources and support services available locally and London-wide.

The self-assessment tool is structured around standards in four quality areas:

If you represent an RCO and want to find our more about the support we offer, get in touch using the form below.