Building Political Power, Participation & Influence
Migrant communities are too often spoken about, rather than listened to — despite being deeply affected by political decisions at every level. This leadership training is about changing that.
Centrala invites migrant and community leaders to take part in the first leadership training of 2026, delivered as part of our Leadership Programme 2026, focused on political engagement, democratic participation, and building real community power.
This session will be delivered by Migrant Democracy Project, an organisation working nationally to build migrant political power by supporting migrants to stand in elections, increasing voter registration, and campaigning for migrant justice.
What the training will cover
Migrant Voices in UK Politics will provide a practical and accessible introduction to how the UK’s political and democratic systems work — and how migrant communities can influence them.
Together, we will explore:
How UK politics works at local, combined authority and national levels
Where real power sits — and how decisions are actually made
Your place in the democratic system as a migrant or community leader
How to engage confidently with councillors, MPs and policymakers
Practical ways to influence policy using evidence and lived experience
How to respond to consultations and political processes without being tokenised
How to build unity, collective voice, and long-term political power
A key focus of the session will be on voting and democratic participation — why it matters, how to mobilise communities, and why everyone who calls the UK home should have a voice in shaping its future.
Whether you are:
New to UK politics
Supporting others to register and vote
Interested in campaigning for voting rights
Or already active and looking to strengthen your influence
This training is for you.
About the speakers
The session will be hosted by Katie Lowe, Community Organiser at Migrant Democracy Project, and joined by Lara Parizotto, Founder and Executive Director of MDP.
They will share insights, tools, and real examples of how migrant communities across the UK are organising, influencing policy, and reshaping democracy.
Practical information
🟢 Free training
🍽️ Lunch provided
👥 Open to all Centrala members
❓ Not a member yet? Don’t worry — once you reserve your place, we’ll send you a link to register as a member.
This is our home.
Let’s make our voices heard.
This project is funded by Paul Ham Foundation and Barrow Cadbury Trust.
If you have any questions contact us on: community@centrala-space.org.uk