Funding has been given a series of free outdoor events across Southwark throughout the rest of 2021 and early 2022.
Sixty thousand was up for grabs through the new Cultural Celebrations Fund, with individual events receiving a maximum of £10,000 each.
A total of 52 applications were received after a call out for applications in June, with around a dozen eventually selected which focus on ‘community cohesion’.
Among the winners are W.E.L.L. Being SE15, an event aimed at young people aged 16-22, founded by Daniel Palmer and Shelene Byer, who said: “ The pandemic put a huge delay on the momentum gained from our first event that took place in November 2019.
“It also affected our access to other resources which would have enabled us to transform our foundation into a centralised resource for access to local wellbeing services.
“This fund is well aligned with re-affirming our mission in supporting and promoting entrepreneurship among the youth.
“It also provides us with a great opportunity to continue enhancing and introducing the concept of holistic wellbeing amongst the next generation in an openly interactive way that enables access to all within the borough and surrounding areas.”
Other events to receive funding include the two day Mercado Latino UK festival, Rotherhithe Festival, Fiya House Hip Hop Weekender, Kingswood Community Carnival, Peckham Festival, and Walworth Winterland.
Councillor Alice Macdonald, cabinet member for equalities, neighbourhoods and leisure, said: “The vibrancy, diversity and energy of Southwark is what attracts many people to the area, and is what residents and Londoners love so much about it.
“It’s exciting to see the list of events planned, including fairs, food, dance and theatre which celebrate our diverse cultures from all corners of the globe.
“I can’t wait to go to them, and I’m sure many others will take great pleasure in attending. Congratulations to all the successful organisers.
“We’re proud to be able to support these events through the new Cultural Celebrations Fund.”