Executive Summary - Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion Submission

Church Urban Fund has a deep rooted and long term of experience working across communities, directly and through our partners.

For nearly 15 years, CUF’s Near Neighbours programme has been a leader in fostering community cohesion and resilience across England, supported by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). Our work brings together diverse communities to build trust, encourage dialogue, and collaborate on local initiatives that strengthen neighbourhoods. Near Neighbours has run a series of roundtables this year. We also held a Church Urban Fund residential summit for clergy and lay leaders in autumn 2024.

Key Findings & Insights

Community Cohesion & Resilience

Cohesion is deeply tied to economic justice, political engagement, and social inclusion. When communities feel unheard or marginalised, tensions rise, leading to extremism or unrest (e.g., the 2024 riots).

Social confidence, trust in institutions and each other, is vital. Austerity, misinformation, and global conflicts (e.g., Gaza, India-Pakistan tensions) exacerbate divisions. Faith and community leaders play a crucial role in bridging divides, countering misinformation, and fostering long-term relationships.

Challenges to Cohesion

• Misinformation & Social Media: Fake news fuels fear and division.
• Economic Hardship: The cost-of-living crisis deepens inequalities.
• Lack of Investment: Underfunded youth services, community spaces, and grassroots initiatives weaken resilience.
• Global & Local Tensions: International conflicts spill over into community relations.

What Works?

• Local Leadership & Relationships: Trusted community connectors (e.g., faith leaders, project coordinators) are essential.
• Safe Spaces for Dialogue: Programmes like Real People, Honest Talk foster understanding.
• Long-Term Funding & Support: Sustainable investment in grassroots initiatives is critical.

Examples of what works to enable community cohesion and build resilience can be seen across our Near Neighbours hub areas. In Luton rapid coordination between the interfaith council and police prevented rioting in 2024. In Middlesbrough, cultural celebrations held after riots created space for dialogue, information sharing and trust building. Similarly, in Leicester, Hindu-Muslim women’s groups brought people together across difference and division, uniting communities after the unrest in Leicester in 2023.

Policy Recommendations

• Invest in Hyper-Local Solutions: Support faith and community-led initiatives through building up local leadership & networks of relationships, facilitating places of difficult conversations and providing targeted investment in grassroots initiatives
• Combat Misinformation: Strengthen media literacy and trusted communication networks.
• Prioritise Economic & Social Justice: Address deprivation, housing, and youth opportunities.
• Amplify Positive Narratives: Showcase stories of unity and shared action.

Conclusion

Near Neighbours’ evidence demonstrates that cohesion requires intentional, long-term engagement rooted in relationships, not transactions. With 15 years of experience, we urge policymakers to:

Fund community-led resilience programmes. Partner with faith and grassroots networks and address systemic inequalities fuelling division.