VEAT: Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund - Legacy Trailblazer Programme

Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency (VEAT) Notice:

During the Games five Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games legacy programmes achieved high levels of inclusive impact and reach amongst underserved communities and in overlooked places across the West Midlands. However, not everyone had a chance to take part and this contract award during its term will enable more people to volunteer at events, young people facing barriers can access social action placements, people with disabilities and more women and girls to participate in Games-linked physical activity, and more Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise organisations ("VCSE")operating in our most deprived places and with our most disadvantaged people can gain resilience from inclusion in the Games legacy network.

There is current evidence of demand for five projects amongst communities and VCSEs in the West Midlands. In 2023, community consultation tested post-Games appetite for the outputs and the objectives of five specific trailblazer projects and found not only demand, but also that communities trusted the charity as a neutral body to deliver fairly on behalf of WMCA. Communities said that the Games brand continues to be seen as inclusive, positive and powerful, with the potential to engage underserved beneficiary groups linked to all five Trailblazers.

• Critical Mass - an inclusive dance programme, supporting young people with disabilities to access dance-based activities and performance opportunities across the West Midlands. Participants will have the opportunity to perform at the Games Anniversary Festival in Summer 2023.

• Gen22 - a youth social action programme, aimed at empowering young people aged 16- 24 to make real change in their own communities.

• Volunteering - maintaining the regional asset that is the 'Commonwealth Collective', meeting a local demand for volunteers, and positioning the region as a viable host for future major events.

• Bring the Power - schools and community-based youth programme, delivering workshops and upskilling teachers to maximise the educational opportunities presented to young people, particularly girls and SEND young people in the West Midlands.

• Social Value - connecting private and third sector organisations to maximise community impact and corporate social value in a measurable and quantitative way.