London Civic Forum leads civic participation in London by enabling and challenging London's governing agencies and institutions to use the valuable insight and experience of local communities.

Simultaneously, London Civic Forum brings power closer to the people by clarifying the roles of, and relationships between, governing bodies and helping citizens take a more active role in influencing the decisions made in their communities.

Within the Forum, individual programmes serve to promote the overall ideals and values of the organisation by developing and encouraging civic participation and engagement in specific areas of London policy. The Take Part Learning Programme helps Londoners build skills, confidence, knowledge, motivation and inspiration to create positive change in their communities. Your Voice Your City aims to support the voluntary and community sector in its capacity to provide support and opportunities to Londoners to engage with and influence regional and local policy makers and funders.

In the past London Civic Forum has run successful projects such as The London Empowerment Partnership, improving the quality and coordination of empowerment in the capital; The Big Opportunity, supporting organisations to help shape the way the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games impacted on their lives; and Community Involvement and Diversity which focused on issues of equality by working to eradicate the barriers that prevent some people from being actively involved in public policy debate, development and decision-making.

As part of its ongoing commitment towards promoting and enabling civic participation and engagement, London Civic Forum has developed a ‘sister' Shape Your City website. This site provides opportunities for individuals and organisations across the capital to participate in policy, decision-making and find out what's going on in their local area.

LCF as a Membership Organisation
London Civic Forum is a membership organisation currently comprised of 1300 full member organisations and associate individual members, from London's private, public and not-for-profit sectors. We count within our membership a wide range of community organisations, black, asian and minority ethnic groups, faith groups, disabled people's organisations, young people's organisations, older people's groups, disabled people's groups and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people's groups. Our members are based across all of Greater London in every London borough.

Our members include colleges, hospitals, trade unions, chambers of commerce, large corporates, small consultancies, advice providers, campaign groups, big charities, local strategic partnerships, community policy consultative groups, training providers, helplines, museums, libraries, theatres, city farms, housing associations and social enterprises.

We also work in partnership with other umbrella or second tier organisations in London and maintain close relationships with institutions that have responsibility for the governance of London. We meet face to face and in virtual space. We are open to all, and we grow only through your involvement with us.

Please join London Civic Forum, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and have a say in those London policies, programmes and interventions that affect your life.