Greenbelt is a team effort and we couldn’t do it without our amazing team of partners. Their voices, their passion and their determination to make the world a better place, also makes us a better festival. This year we’ve more partners and contributors than ever, and we’ve put this quick guide together so you can learn a little more about each of them.
OUR MAIN PARTNER – Christian Aid
Now into our 31st year of partnership, it’s hard to think of Greenbelt without Christian Aid. This year we’re collaborating with them on an exciting brand new venue for the festival. We’ll be announcing what that is and what to expect next week…
OUR VENUE PARTNERS
CCLA – Pagoda
CCLA ethically manages the funds of churches, charities, local councils (and now also individuals). As we dream of a better world, they continue to support us in bolstering the ambition and vision of our primary ideas venue – the Pagoda.
Iona Community – Wild Goose
Nestled in the Orchard and providing resources, reflection and programming that embody Iona’s mission for social justice, rebuilding community and renewing of worship, we’re thrilled that the Iona Community will be an integral part of our devotional spirituality programming and presence this year at Greenbelt.
Methodist Church – Hope & Anchor
Our friends at the Methodist Church are back with their thoughtful and beautiful conversation venue, complete with an alcohol-free bar; a space to talk, feel safe (but maybe challenged, too) — with special guests dropping by each day.
Pickwell Foundation – Hot House
We’re delighted and excited to be working with the Pickwell Foundation once again to produce our vital and iconic venue focussed on the climate emergency. And this year we’re bringing the venue centre stage – into the Glade Arena. Expect the usual thought-provoking programming by day – and great late-night DJs and dance music after hours each night.
Refugees at Home – Table
Allow us to introduce you to our newest partner, Refugees at Home. With their support, we’re pleased to be able to bring back the Table venue – our hugely popular food and story space. There will be food, storytelling and some special guests each day. But mostly, the Table will be a space to welcome and deepen empathy for those from around the world who seek to make their home here in the UK.
Trussell Trust – Living Room
Back for a second year, we’re thrilled to bring you the Living Room, hosted by our friends at Trussell Trust and Let’s End Poverty. Built around the experiences of (and hosted by a team of folks living in) poverty here in the UK, the Living Room is a space to reflect together on how we can live more justly in our churches, our communities and our country.
United Reformed Church (URC) – yoURCafe
Once again hosting their family-friendly cafe at the heart of the festival village, this year expect more conversational programming in the space too. As well as serving up great value family food each day, there will be gritty sessions on ‘being church’ by day and Cafe Palestinia sessions on Friday and Saturday evenings. (We’re also hugely grateful to the URC for their support in hosting our youth venues/programme again this year.)
OUR ASSOCIATE PARTNERS
Citizens UK
They’re campaigning for voter registration in the run-up to July’s election, but the work to involve people in the democratic process doesn’t stop there. Citizens UK will be running daily sessions about how you, your church and your community can get organising for change where you are.
Embrace the Middle East
Embrace will be creating a ‘stations of the cross’ trail around the festival village, sharing a live link with young people in Bethlehem, hosting a Tenebrae service in the Shelter, and also selling their fairtrade goods from the Middle East onsite.
Home for Good
Returning for a second year, Home For Good will be urging us to stand and act in solidarity with adopters and foster-carers. It will be continuing its urgent work to provide nurturing family settings for the 38,000 children and young people coming into the care system each year.
Student Christian Movement (SCM)
For any student-aged Greenbelters, connect with a larger student community through SCM at Greenbelt. This year, SCM will be offering two short-talk sessions in Hope and Anchor, as well as collaborating on programming in our new venue in partnership with Christian Aid, and hosting their usual meet-ups in the Jesus Arms.
TAKEAWAY ‘PLUS’
Christians Against Poverty (CaP)
Transformed lives. Thriving churches. An end to UK poverty. This is the world CaP wants to see. Find them in TakeAway. Our thanks also go to CaP for introducing us to the wonderful Bradford-based poet and anti-poverty activist Kirsty Taylor, who will be in residence in the Living Room on festival Sunday.
Church Action on Poverty (CAP)
This year CAP will have their own TakeAway presence, close to the Living Room. Look out especially for their Dreams and Realities exhibition of nine portraits of people living in poverty (including himself) by artist Stephen Martin.
Church Mission Society (CMS)
Dreamers who do, CMS’ big dream is to invite people at the edges of church and society to be part of Jesus’ story. They offer pioneering, innovative, and entrepreneurial courses for people wanting to study theology and do mission at the edges. They will be running daily sessions in the Hope and Anchor, and you can catch them in the TakeAway.
OTHER GRANTS, FUNDING, SPONSORSHIP & SUPPORT
Amos Trust
It’s been a devastating year, witnessing all that has unfolded in Gaza since the Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023. We’re grateful once again for our friends at Amos Trust who will help us to be unflinching in our attention and action – ensuring we do not look away.
Christian Connection
Hosting drinks meet-ups and Quiz nights at the Jesus Arms on Friday and Saturday for all those looking for more connection in their lives.
Westhill Foundation
We’re grateful to the Westhill Foundation who have provided us with a three-year grant to support our work in producing the Table venue as a space for encounter and engagement. A space in which empathy and solidarity is built and where diversity and difference is treasured.
William Temple Foundation
The William Temple Foundation has supported us in delivering an expanded programme focussed around being human in a digital age, complete with the challenges and opportunities presented by AI.
Arts Council England
Grassroots music funding towards the development of our Rebel Rouser venue – to enable us to create our own bespoke stage and set infrastructure and to improve the artists’ hospitality we offer there.