New Anti-Racism Strategy unveiled across Liverpool City Region

A new Anti-Racism Strategy has been launched across the Liverpool City Region, setting out a long term plan to tackle racial inequality, strengthen trust and celebrate the contributions of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.

The strategy was officially unveiled at Liverpool’s Liver Building following collaboration with more than 200 organisations and over 500 people from across the city region, including community groups, educators, businesses, public sector organisations and residents.

Leaders say the strategy represents a major step towards creating a fairer and more inclusive Liverpool City Region, with people’s lived experiences helping to shape its priorities and goals.

The strategy focuses on five key areas:

• Challenging and dismantling systemic racism across public services, education, employment and community life
• Strengthening trust and transparency between institutions and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities
• Ensuring people with lived experience remain central to decision making
• Supporting organisations to take practical and measurable action to create more inclusive environments
• Celebrating the cultural, social and economic contributions of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities

Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, said: “Liverpool City Region has always been shaped by people from different backgrounds, cultures and communities. Our diversity is one of our greatest assets, but we know that too many people still face barriers because of their race.

“That’s why this strategy exists. It’s about bringing people together around a shared commitment to tackle racism, open up opportunity and make sure everyone can fulfil their potential.

“But this cannot be delivered by the Combined Authority alone. It will require leadership from businesses, public services, community organisations and residents across our city region.”

The launch event also celebrated the achievements of the Liverpool City Region Race Equality Hub, which has already supported hundreds of people and organisations since it was established in 2024.

According to figures released at the event, around 800 people and 45 employers have taken part in employment support programmes, while more than 1,000 individuals and 250 organisations have attended workshops and events aimed at driving long term change.

The Race Equality Hub was created to support the economic advancement of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities by improving access to jobs, supporting business growth and creating pathways into leadership roles.

Alison Navarro, Programme Director of the Liverpool City Region Race Equality Hub said: “This has been a huge collective effort and I want to thank everyone who helped create this strategy, particularly the community members who shared their lived and professional experiences.

“The strategy provides a framework for tackling racism, but now leaders across the region must take that work forward by embedding anti racist action within their own organisations.”

A key part of the strategy is its governance structure, which aims to ensure accountability and long term progress.

The Liverpool City Region Leadership Forum, made up of more than 50 leaders from the public, private, voluntary, community and faith sectors, will oversee delivery of the strategy and monitor progress.

It will be supported by a dedicated reference group made up of people and organisations who helped shape the strategy, ensuring community voices remain at the heart of future decision making.

Leaders hope the strategy will help create lasting change across the Liverpool City Region by tackling inequality, improving opportunities and building stronger connections between communities and institutions.

Find out more about the Anti-Racism Strategy here.

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