We are delighted to announce that our project, Voices of Belonging, has been awarded funding through the Beyond Literature Borders programme, delivered by Speaking Volumes in partnership with the British Council.
This exciting opportunity will support a new international literary exchange connecting young people in Bradford, UK, with young people in Mexico City, Mexico. Through creative writing, cultural dialogue and artistic collaboration, participants will explore themes of belonging, identity and heritage while sharing their experiences across borders.
At the heart of Voices of Belonging is a simple but powerful idea: that stories can build understanding, create connections and help people see both their differences and common ground. The project will bring together ten young people from Bradford and ten from Mexico City, creating a space where their voices, experiences and perspectives can be heard, valued and celebrated.
Working in partnership with Gama Crea Art Gallery in Mexico, participants will develop original pieces of writing that reflect their own journeys, communities and cultural identities. Through a process of reciprocal exchange, the young writers will engage with one another’s stories, creating opportunities for meaningful cross-cultural dialogue and learning.
The project will culminate in a shared collection of “Stories of Belonging” authored by the participants. Alongside the written work, commissioned visual artists will respond creatively to the stories, producing original artworks that deepen and enrich the themes explored by the young writers. Together, these literary and visual responses will form a unique collaborative body of work that celebrates diverse voices and lived experiences.
For many young people, opportunities to engage in international creative projects can be limited. This funding enables us to create an accessible platform where participants can develop their creative skills, build confidence in their storytelling and connect with peers from a different cultural context. By fostering these connections, we hope to encourage curiosity, empathy and a deeper understanding of what belonging means in different communities around the world.
The Beyond Literature Borders programme supports diverse-led organisations and those working with underrepresented voices to develop international literature projects and build meaningful global partnerships. We are proud that Voices of Belonging has been recognised as part of this initiative and excited to contribute to a growing network of organisations using literature and storytelling to create positive social and cultural impact.
This project represents an important step in our ongoing commitment to amplifying marginalised voices and creating opportunities for creative expression. We believe that stories have the power to challenge assumptions, celebrate heritage and bring people together, and we look forward to seeing the conversations and connections that emerge through this exchange.
We would like to thank Speaking Volumes and the British Council for their support and for investing in organisations that are creating inclusive, collaborative and internationally connected cultural work.
Over the coming months, we will be sharing updates on the project and providing opportunities for audiences to engage with the work as it develops.
We are excited to begin this journey and look forward to sharing the voices, stories and creative outcomes that emerge from Voices of Belonging.