NEWS: Centring lived experience leadership- Meet the collective behind Shaping the Future
The brand new Shaping the Future Fund was uniquely co-designed and led by ten Co-Creation Group members. Read on to learn more about them and the process.
The Shaping the Future Leadership Initiative is a bold new model of participatory grantmaking — one that puts decision-making power in the hands of people with lived experience of the UK’s migration system.
At the heart of the project is our Co-Creation Group: ten grassroots organisers, advocates, researchers, and changemakers who co-designed the fund and led every step of the selection process. Together, they reviewed more than 500 applications.
“We weren’t just distributing resources — we were shifting power.”
— Fidelia Elias, Grants Manager, Justice Together Initiative
Why this matters
This fund supports leadership that is bold, grounded and generative — investing in people and organisations creating systemic change, especially those who are often underfunded or overlooked. The process was designed to reflect our values: dignity, equity, care and collective action.
“This process made me hopeful for the equitable change our communities are ready to lead.”
— Kimberly Garande, advocate and Co-Creation Group member
Our participatory approach
Every stage of this process was grounded in transparency and equity:
– Initial screening: 576 applications were reviewed for eligibility and alignment, resulting in 440 eligible applications.
– Detailed assessment: The Co-Creation Group used pre-agreed scoring to shortlist 47 applicants.
– Final selection: Selected in line with the fund’s purpose and priorities.
We prioritised applications that:
– Develop leadership beyond general support
– Centre lived experience and shared decision-making
– Support emerging or underrepresented leaders, including young people
– Offer innovative or under-resourced approaches
– Aim for systemic, long-term impact
This wasn’t just consultation — it was shared leadership in action.
Meet our Co-Creation Group
Fidelia Elias – Grants Manager, Justice Together Initiative: “Each session was a masterclass in humility and growth.”
Fouad Al Kadi – Founder of Shift Up, youth participation and leadership development expert: “This was a power-shifting process. I hope more funders follow this lead.”
Kimberly Garande – Advocate and changemaker with lived and professional experience in refugee and migrant justice: “This process truly created space for migrant leaders to lead.”
Lediana Pajaj – Project manager, community organiser, and lived experience leader: “It’s an experience that left me both hopeful and more equipped for future collective work.”
Loraine Masiya Mponela – Migrant rights campaigner and community organiser in Coventry: “This gave me real insight into how just funding can work.”
Maysa Ismael – Human rights researcher and leadership development facilitator: “This process reflected what leadership should be — inclusive, thoughtful and rooted in lived reality.”
A fairer future starts with those who lead It
This initiative is part of Migration Exchange’s ongoing commitment to fairer funding, inclusive leadership, and systemic change across the UK migration and refugee sector.
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