Strive to Grow Leadership Programme
Strive to Grow was a Leadership Training Programme specially designed for ethnically diverse-led community and voluntary organisations based in East and West Sussex.
DRI invited groups and organisations aspiring to enhance their leadership, strengthen their operational capacity, and significantly increase their impact within their community to take part in fully funded activities of the Strive to Grow Leadership Training Programme.
This initiative, commissioned by Sussex Community Foundation, was specifically designed to empower small, ethnically diverse-led groups across East and West Sussex.
Running from June to August 2025, the Strive to Grow programme was free for all applicants and it offered a comprehensive suite of support tailored to their unique needs:
Personalised Leadership Coaching
Two Sussex-based leaders received dedicated one-to-one leadership and management coaching.
This bespoke support was provided by Ms Mebrak Ghebreweldi (MSc), who helped them navigate organisational challenges and refine their leadership approach.
Strategic Workshops
We hosted two workshops:
1. Leadership, Organisational Development and Financial Management
Actionable strategies to strengthen organisational governance, build sustainable operations, and deepen community impact.
2. Community Development and Funding Strategy
Key principles of community development in practice, information about what funders want to know, and strategies for fundraising.
The in-person workshops were open to all individuals, groups and organisations at no cost. However, only ethnically diverse-led organisations that applied before the 14th of June, 2025, were considered for the full Strive to Grow Programme, which included the dedicated one-to-one coaching.
Information about similar opportunities will be shared on our website and social media channels.