A Fairer Future
Advocacy Academy
We want to provide the support and space to enable others we work alongside to create lasting change, and to challenge systems that stand in the way.
We want to contribute to a socially just and anti-racist society, where people have their rights protected, as well as the opportunity to speak and be heard, and the freedom to express their creativity. And across all our work in A Fairer Future, we are keen to support organisations led by the people they serve.
Working with others, we will contribute to three key impact goals by 2030:
- Improved systems, policy and practice.
- Organisations are strengthened to use their power to tackle systemic injustice and inequity.
- Organisations work together and build movements to tackle systemic injustice and inequity.
See our guidance and watch our Q&A webinars to learn more about applying for support towards A Fairer Future
Our priorities
We have five priority areas where we believe we can make the most effective contribution; using our existing knowledge and relationships, by working at the intersections of issues; and by building our understanding through working with others, especially those with experience of the issues we are trying to address.
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Arts and creativity making change
Our support will have two areas of focus: creating a cultural workforce that is more reflective of UK society; and supporting young people to build their own creative lives and use arts and creativity to influence the world around them.
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Children and young people’s rights
Creating a fairer future requires lasting changes to policy and practice that gets support to children in the vital first years of life, and to young people at important transitions in adolescence.
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Racial justice
Racial equity and justice are a fundamental necessity for a socially and economically healthy nation. Our efforts need to be rooted in a better understanding of the interconnected nature of racial inequity and injustice across all parts of our strategy.
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Gender justice
Gender justice requires changes to systems, policy and practice so that everyone's rights are recognised and protected.
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Migrant justice
We want to support the development of a just legislative framework, a less polarising public narrative and on ensuring that migrants have access to legal help that enables them to secure their rights.
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You might be interested in
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29 May 2026Community-led art and creativity: mid-strategy review
We’re pleased to share a report by DHA Communications reviewing Esmée Fairbairn Foundation’s support for community-led art and creativity. It looks at the context for this work and what progress has been made. Alison Holdom, Esmée Funding Lead for Creative, Confident Communities, also shares reflections on the recommendations.
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Migration Museum: building a new museum with community at its heart
Migration Museum share how they developed a People’s Panel to embed local voices directly into the creation of their new, permanent home.
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Gender justice: mid-strategy review
A new report examines Esmée’s portfolio of gender justice grants and the progress made since the launch of the strategy. It explores the changing context for gender justice and its impact, and shares recommendations for Esmée and other gender justice funders.
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Our work towards Racial Justice: actions in 2025
Following a review of our approach to racial justice by Chrisann Jarrett published last year, we wanted to provide an update on the five actions we committed to, and to share our next steps.
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