Eastbourne Cultural Involvement Group
Members of Eastbourne’s culturally and ethnically diverse communities are invited to regular meetings throughout the year for the Eastbourne Cultural Involvement Group (ECIG).
What is ECIG?
The Eastbourne Cultural Involvement Group (ECIG) is a dynamic platform dedicated to fostering cultural integration and addressing systemic challenges faced by diverse communities in Eastbourne.
Established as a collaborative network, ECIG brings together organisations, community leaders, and local authorities to create inclusive spaces for dialogue and action. Its initiatives focus on addressing pressing issues such as language barriers, social isolation, healthcare inequities, and employment challenges.
Through partnerships with key organisations, ECIG ensures impactful community support. By engaging over 40 organisations and hundreds of participants, ECIG has become a cornerstone of community development in Eastbourne. Its commitment to sustainability and cultural inclusivity continues to address gaps in services and empower minoritised groups. ECIG exemplifies the power of collaboration in building stronger, more cohesive communities.
Why we're listening
Eastbourne is home to a rich mix of cultures and communities. The ECIG wants to hear the experiences of community members living in the town so that we can share their opinions with the Council, the NHS, community funders and other service providers to uplift under‑represented groups.
We seeked out to know…
- Which local services work well for you?
- Where could things be better?
- What would help your family or community thrive?
Our goal was to build meaningful connections and explore how we can work together to address any challenges faced by the community. By building positive relationships, we aimed to create a supportive network where everyone’s voice is valued.
History of ECIG
Since 2020, ECIG brought together people from across Eastbourne’s diverse communities to connect, learn, celebrate and shape a more inclusive town. Funded by Eastbourne Borough Council, ECIG grew into a trusted space where residents, community organisations, public services and local partners could build relationships, share opportunities, discuss challenges and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of Eastbourne.
Throughout the project, ECIG welcomed hundreds of people from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures and faiths. Meetings regularly brought together residents representing countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Caribbean, reflecting the diversity of Eastbourne itself. By providing multilingual, welcoming and accessible events, ECIG ensured that everyone had the opportunity to participate, share their experiences and feel heard.
Each meeting combined practical information with meaningful community conversations. Local organisations shared services and opportunities ranging from employment and housing advice to healthcare, education, food support and volunteering. Creative projects, cultural events and local initiatives were promoted, helping people discover new opportunities while strengthening connections across the town.
At the heart of ECIG was the belief that bringing people together creates stronger communities. Meetings encouraged open discussions about issues affecting local residents, including belonging, identity, inclusion and racism, while also celebrating the resilience, skills and contributions of Eastbourne’s diverse communities. Shared meals, storytelling, cultural activities and discussions helped build understanding between people who may never otherwise have met.
Participants consistently described ECIG as a welcoming, safe and inclusive space where they could make new connections, develop friendships and learn about the experiences of others. Many spoke about discovering community projects they had never known existed, finding support when they needed it, and feeling a stronger sense of belonging within Eastbourne.
Over its six-year journey, ECIG became an important community network that connected residents with local services, encouraged collaboration between organisations and created opportunities for new partnerships. It supported community-led conversations on issues that matter locally while celebrating the many cultures that make Eastbourne such a vibrant place to live.
Although funding for the original programme has now come to an end, the relationships, partnerships and ideas developed through ECIG continue to inspire future community work. Feedback from participants highlighted a strong desire for the group to continue, with many calling for more frequent meetings, greater involvement of young people, wider representation across Sussex, and more opportunities to celebrate cultural diversity through creative events, performances and community initiatives.