We define collective care as the practice of individuals coming together to support and nurture each other’s well-being, growth, and overall welfare within a community. It involves creating a culture of empathy, compassion, and mutual aid, where community members actively contribute to the care and support of one another
“Collective care allows for a space to share radical justice and lived experiences to form trust” (Abdulle, 2019)
What does meaningful collective care mean at the INCLUDE+?
We ask that all people involved in the projects we fund are properly remunerated for their time – not just named people on applications.
We ask that the funding structure of the project be as equitable as possible and respect expertise. This means ensuring that the funds are distributed fairly, that they are held by organisations doing the work, that there are mechanisms within the funding structure to renumerate everyone appropriately.
We expect projects to change and adapt as they develop so we also encourage structures that allow for that – checking in with everyone, co-planning and co-designing the next steps, and enabling flexibility within the project design.
Meaningful digital inclusion: examples of critical questions for you to consider for your IN+ Project.
| Category | Question |
| Capacity and well-being | How can we design digital equity initiatives that recognise the existing workload and capacity of everyone involved, ensuring that no one is overwhelmed or overburdened? |
| Shared Understanding and Collaboration | In what ways can we check in with all participants and project leaders to foster a shared understanding of the project’s aims and outcomes, ensuring transparency and collective ownership? |
| Valuing Expertise and Lived Experience | How do we create a culture that acknowledges and values the expertise of all participants, encouraging empathy, compassion, and mutual aid, so that everyone feels empowered to contribute their knowledge and skills? |
New Narratives retained funds to distribute to community organisations they were working with so they could run their own activities and explore the issues using their own practices.
Our In+Art Installations pay a community organisation to host a digital artist to run a workshop or series of workshops. This needs contingencies and openness as activities are often open ended and surprising.