MPower Political Leadership
It's time for you to stand as a councillor. Apply now for MPower 2 !
Migrant Democracy Project is building migrants’ political power in the UK.
We are registering migrants to vote, campaigning for everyone to have the right to vote, and getting more migrants elected!
Below, you can learn more about the first MPower cohort and their achievements.
Our second MPower programme is live! This time our programme will focus on training candidates in England, helping migrants develop practical and transferable skills when standing for election. The programme will take place from January to April 2025, with an in-person event in May 2025. You will be provided with 10 sessions, filled with information and skills to become a councillor, presented by various expert speakers, such as migrant councillors, public-speaking coaches, and much more!
Join us now to see more migrants elected, helping to shape a better and more representative future for migrant communities and other marginalised groups.
Click the link below to find out more information. Here you will find a briefing note with links to the application form, as well as the Electoral Commission website with information on candidate eligibility.
Cohort 1
In November 2023, we launched our first ever MPower Political Candidates Programme with 10 brilliant first-generation migrant candidates.
Our first cohort of candidates were born in Brazil, Colombia, Cyprus, Malawi, Nigeria, Romania, and Poland — and they now call the UK their home and want to represent their communities from London to Liverpool!
We delivered sessions covering:
Key responsibilities of councillors
How to win for and with your migrant community
UK politics and democracy
Selection criteria of different political parties
Public Speaking, Social Media, and Interview skills
…and much more!
Our participants received coaching and mentoring and heard from experienced and inspiring speakers, including amazing migrant councillors already elected!
Our wins
In April 2024, we concluded the first programme and now our participants are full of energy and enthusiasm for continuing to win for their migrant communities.
Each of our participants received a financial stipend to allow them to fully participate in the programme, covering any transport, childcare, and hours outside of work. We believe our leadership development is key to our future vision and deserves to be compensated.
Our participants and future candidates all carried out local community action during their time in the programme to start their political journey by giving them a flavour of councillor work, demonstrating the value of community engagement, and raising their local profile.
The activities have ranged from community litter picks to informative events for the community!
We are also incredibly proud that two of our MPower Programme participants got elected in 2024! Kemal Çufoğlu became the first Cypriot to get elected in Colchester and Gabriel Duduta became the first Romanian to get elected in Watford! We are representing our communities now!
