Power in Place: How Local Networks Are Tackling Gendered Poverty
At the Women’s Budget Group we have long believed that local networks are vital if we are to tackle inequality and build a green and caring economy with women’s equality at its heart. So, it was really inspiring to be able to take part in the first of a series of learning circles organised by the Smallwood Trust to bring together the local networks they are funding as part of their commitment to place-based systems change.
The day was a powerful opportunity for organisations who are active in tackling gendered poverty locally to come together, share insights, learn from each other and deepen our collective understanding of the challenges women face in achieving economic wellbeing.
The Importance of Place-Based Systems Change
The Smallwood Trust’s rationale for place-based work is clear: gendered poverty is deeply rooted in systemic inequalities that vary by location. Local communities often hold the key to solutions tailored to their specific needs, and empowering these communities ensures that interventions are more effective and sustainable. By funding networks of women’s organisations, Smallwood is fostering collaboration, amplifying marginalised voices, and enabling grassroots action to tackle poverty at its roots.
The Devastating Impact of No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)
One of the most powerful moments of the event came from the Birmingham No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) Network. Their presentation highlighted the profound harm caused by NRPF policies on women, particularly those trapped in abusive relationships. Women with insecure immigration status are often excluded from accessing vital support such as housing, welfare benefits, or social care. This exclusion leaves them financially vulnerable and unable to escape abusive situations.
The Birmingham NRPF Network works tirelessly to address these challenges, bringing together Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid, Roshni, Baobab Women’s Project, British Red Cross, Central England Law Centre and Refugee and Migrant Centre. Their coordinated efforts include creating effective referral pathways and amplifying the voices of women with lived experience to influence policy change at local and national levels.
The funding Smallwood has provided was described as the “glue” that helped formalise and grow existing partnerships. It enabled the network to create one online database for example, to allow referral to any service in the network without women having to retell their story each time, which can be retraumatising as well as time consuming. The Central England Law Centre is one of the partners in the network, and their involvement has led to legal changes that give migrant victim-survivors of domestic abuse with NRPF three months grace period which gives support services some time to process their application and other support victims may need like housing. This is one small step in a complex and often hostile system. But it highlights the power of a network bringing together expertise in law, policy, service provision and grassroots support to make systems change at a national and local level.
Collaboration Across Networks
The event also provided a unique opportunity for women from different networks supported by Smallwood Trust to connect and share ideas. These sessions fostered solidarity among organisations working on diverse aspects of gendered poverty—from supporting survivors of domestic violence to social security or addressing economic inactivity among women. While these issues may seem separate, they are actually interconnected. One in four women will experience domestic violence or abuse in her lifetime. Work by WBG, Surviving Economic Abuse and the End Violence Against Women Coalition has shown how the social security system can trap women in abusive relationships, while abuse can make it harder for women to stay in paid work
The exchange of experiences and strategies was invaluable for strengthening collective efforts for making systems changes to tackle systemic inequalities. Systems change of this type can be long, complex and time consuming, and is particularly difficult for organisations combining this with delivering front line services. Opportunities to network and learn from each other are invaluable.
WBG’s Role in Supporting Change
As partners in this initiative, the Women’s Budget Group brings its expertise in feminist economics to complement local efforts. We highlight the impact of economic policy on women and propose changes to create a green and caring economy. We aim to provide evidence-based recommendations that reflect the realities faced by marginalized women. Our planned work on the impact of violence against women on economic wellbeing will further explore how abuse disrupts financial independence and perpetuates poverty.
Through projects like the Local Data Project, WBG supports grassroots organisations in accessing and using data effectively for advocacy. This empowers local groups to strengthen their campaigns with evidence, ensuring that policymakers cannot ignore the gendered dimensions of poverty.
A Call for Action
The stories shared during this event underscore the urgent need for systemic change. Policies like NRPF not only exacerbate poverty but also perpetuate cycles of abuse and inequality. To truly tackle gendered poverty, we must advocate for reforms that centre women’s voices and lived experiences while addressing structural barriers such as immigration status and access to public funds. We must also tackle the chronic underfunding of the women’s sector. A report by the funder, Rosa, showed that in 2021, a total of £4.1 billion worth of grants was awarded to charities, but the women and girls sector received just 1.8% of these. In addition, one third of all grants for ‘women and girls’ focussed activity – worth £24.7m – went to organisations with no specific focus on women and girls
Smallwood Trust’s place-based approach offers a promising model for achieving this change. By investing in local networks and fostering collaboration among organisations like WBG, we can build a future where all women have the resources and support they need to thrive.
But for real change to happen we need to see policy makers provide meaningful engagement with those women and organisations and the sharp end – listening and learning from their experience and changing policy so that it works for the women and girls who need it most.
Conclusion
This event was a powerful reminder that tackling gendered poverty requires both local action and systemic change. The Women’s Budget Group is proud to be part of this collective effort—working alongside Smallwood Trust and its partners—to amplify women’s voices, influence policy, and create pathways toward economic justice. Together, we can ensure that no woman is left behind in the fight against poverty and inequality.
Authors
Mary-Ann Stephenson- Director- Women’s Budget Group
Erin Mansell – Head of Communications and Public Affairs- Women’s Budget Group
