MPower: Political Leadership Programme
Our MPower: Political Leadership Programme provides first-generation migrants with the skills, resources and knowledge required to run for local council.
Our second MPower cohort began in December 2024 and applications are currently closed.
Follow us @โmigrantdemos and sign up to join us here to stay up to date on the selected participantsโ training and successes!
If you would like to experience a taster of what it means to be a councillor as a first-generation migrant you can join us for the LGA: Be A Councillor Webseries.
Tuesday 3rd June, 19:00 - 20:30 PM. Sign-Up Here.
Friday 20th June, 12:30 - 14:00 PM. Sign-Up Here.
Keep reading below to learn more about our current and previous MPower leaders, and their achievements.
Meet the 2024-2025 MPower Leaders
In December 2024, we launched the second cohort of our MPower: Political Leadership Programme with a new group of brilliant first-generation migrant candidates. Our participants have been receiving coaching and mentoring, and have been hearing from experienced and inspiring speakers, including amazing migrant councillors already elected!
The programme will run through January - April 2025, with sessions covering: the key responsibilities of councillors; how to win for and with your migrant community; UK politics and democracy; public speaking and media skills; and much more!
Previous Cohorts
2023-2024 MPower Cohort
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 โ and they now call the UK their home and want to represent their communities from London to Liverpool! In April 2024, we concluded the first programme and our participants are now moving forward to win for their migrant communities.
During their time in the programme, our participants and future candidates all carried out local community action to start their political journey, 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 were successfully elected after the completion of our programme. Kemal รufoฤlu 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!
Colchester Councillor Kemal รufoฤlu passing a motion in support of residence-based voting rights on 9 December 2024.
Watford Councillor Gabriel Duduta passing a motion in support of residence-based voting rights on 11 March, 2025.