The strategic context for the partnership is that small VCO's working with marginalised communities (of place and interest) have particular difficulty accessing basic infrastructure support in Birmingham-and this difficulty is greater when it comes to being able to access specialist support.

The Platform Project is a Big Lottery funded partnership project with 8 partners which aims to increase access by small voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations across Birmingham to infrastructure support by building on the platform of their existing strengths and capacity.

In addition to BNCN the Platform partners are:

The Digbeth Trust (lead partner)

The Digbeth Trust is a source of development funding and support for grass roots voluntary and community organisations in Birmingham and the West Midlands seeking to develop community  facilities and services.

Women Acting in Today’s Society (WAITS) 
A women’s empowerment organisation - through Knowledge information and opportunity WAITS touches the lives of women changing their future by enabling them to overcome barriers so that they are able to make change individually or collectively for themselves, their families or their communities.

Birmingham Disability Resource Centre (BDRC)
The BDRC provides a range of services to disabled people and their support networks living in Birmingham including general information & advice, counselling, support groups & activities and employment preparation.

Community Network 4 Birmingham (CN4B) 
The umbrella body aiming to bring together and promote community networks in Birmingham.

The Chamberlain Forum (CF) 
Neighbourhood think-and-do-tank based in Birmingham which helps communities and public services work together to make better neighbourhoods.

The Guide Neighbourhoods Network (GNN)
A good practice network of Birmingham’s 3 Guide Neighbourhoods.