We're carrying out research looking into the specific support needs of voluntary and community organisations working on ethnicity or sexual orientation. You probably already know that funding for VCOs is a hot topic, with the government looking at different ways of resourcing capacity building for different 'identity' groups (eg disability, religion and belief, LGB). This research aims to find out:

• how good are ‘mainstream’ agencies at meeting the needs of specialist organisations? How might their services be improved?
• what do organisations with links to specific communities of interest think about this?
• are there any models of good practice in meeting the support needs of voluntary and community groups working on ethnicity and sexual orientation issues in different geographical communities in the UK?

We think this research is really worthwhile. If you agree, we'd like to hear from you if you're:

• a 'frontline' VCO or social enterprise that provides services primarily for or represents black and minority ethnic (BME) or lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) communities directly
• an 'umbrella' organisation or support provider that helps voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises like this to build their capacity

All you have to do is follow the link below and fill in the questionnaire (it should take no more than 15-20 minutes to complete): http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/F2ZQVV. The survey closes 20 January 2010.

brap are undertaking the research in partnership with Equal to the Occasion and on behalf of the Big Lottery Fund. We want to encourage frank and honest responses to this questionnaire so all responses will remain anonymous and confidential (comments attributed to particular respondents will not be shared with Big Lottery Fund).

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