FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Jeehye Kim, Senior Director of Communications and Marketing
General Commission on Religion and Race
202-495-2949
[email protected]
November 3, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) of The United Methodist Church is pleased to announce that 21 grantees across the Central Conferences have been awarded more than $175,000 through the CORR Action Grant. These grants support innovative and transformative initiatives that advance education, leadership, and justice across United Methodist communities in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines.
Through this program, local churches, districts, conferences, educational institutions, and other United Methodist-affiliated entities were invited to apply for funding to implement projects aligned with one or more of GCORR’s four educational priorities:
- Conflict Resolution – fostering peaceful dialogue and reconciliation in divided communities;
- Education Around Oppression – equipping people to recognize and address systemic injustice;
- Intercultural Competency – strengthening cross-cultural understanding and collaboration; and
- Leadership Development – empowering emerging leaders, especially youth and young adults.
“These grants honor the spirit of connectional ministry that is at the heart of The United Methodist Church,” said Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo, General Secretary of GCORR. “Each of these projects reflects a deep commitment to dismantling oppression, nurturing intercultural relationships, and equipping emerging leaders who will carry forward the work of justice and reconciliation in their local contexts.”
“These projects remind us that the work of justice and reconciliation is happening in every corner of the world,” said Dion Roberts, Senior Specialist of Grant Programs at GCORR. “From empowering young women in Uganda to building peace in the Congo and nurturing intercultural understanding in Japan, each initiative embodies the spirit of hope, leadership, and connection that defines our worldwide church.”
The 2025 grantees represent a remarkable diversity of ministries and focus areas. Projects range from training youth peacebuilders in Uganda and Kenya, to developing intercultural competency among Overseas Filipino Workers in Japan, to healing and reconciliation efforts within the United Methodist Church in Nigeria after years of division. Other initiatives address gender-based violence in the Philippines, integration of Indigenous Pygmy communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and leadership development among young people across Africa and Europe.
Each project will receive up to $10,000 for initiatives lasting up to twelve months. Collectively, these programs are creating pathways for reconciliation, leadership, and inclusion, embodying GCORR’s vision of a church and world where all people can live in right relationship with God and one another.
2025 CORR Action Grant Recipients – Central Conferences
Edmonton UMYF Leaders Fellowship ($10,000)
Zimbabwe Episcopal Area – Canada Mission Area
A year-long youth fellowship in Edmonton, Canada, equipping youth of African descent with faith-based leadership, anti-racism education, and civic engagement tools through mentorship and community projects.
Batetela Conflict Resolution of the Savannah and Forest through the Creation of Spaces for Dialogue for Peace ($7,250)
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Equips church and community leaders to prevent and resolve political and social conflicts through local mediation and peacebuilding initiatives.
Mending Broken Relationships and Reuniting Members within the UMC Nigeria ($10,000)
UMC Nigeria Episcopal Area
Facilitates reconciliation and unity within the United Methodist Church in Nigeria following years of division, conflict, and organizational separation.
YAKAP: Youth Against Oppression through Knowledge and Advocacy Participation ($5,000)
Manila Episcopal Area, Philippines
Empowers young leaders to challenge oppression and promote inclusion through education, faith-based advocacy, and community engagement.
Voices for Justice Ngaremara, Isiola County, Kenya ($10,000)
East Africa Episcopal Area – Kenya
Promotes peace and social cohesion among marginalized communities in Isiolo County through conflict resolution training and dialogue.
Christian Actions for Children ($9,500)
Sud-Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Addresses long-standing ethnic conflict between the Bembe and Fuliru peoples through peace education, dialogue, and community reconciliation.
Strengthening Leadership and Youth Empowerment in Mwambangu, Fizi Territory ($10,000)
Congo East
Equips youth with leadership, civic training, and skills for community engagement and local development in South Kivu.
Integration of Indigenous Pygmy Peoples ($7,600)
Kindu, South Kivu
Promotes inclusion and education for Indigenous Pygmy communities through advocacy, cultural awareness, and children’s education initiatives.
Peaceful Coexistence and Resolution of Community Conflicts in Tanganyika Sector, South Kivu ($7,750)
Congo East
Builds community mechanisms for peaceful coexistence and conflict resolution among multiple ethnic groups in South Kivu.
Empowering Emerging Leaders: A Retreat for Methodist Youth Leadership Development ($4,150)
Pracha – Central and Southern Europe Episcopal Area
A weekend retreat fostering spiritual growth, leadership skills, and mentorship among young Methodist leaders.
Empowering Youth Leaders in Christ ($8,800)
Mount Kenya District, Meru
Develops leadership and service skills among youth through workshops, mentoring, and faith-based community projects.
Bridging Cultures, Building Equity and Well-being ($9,500)
Davao Episcopal Area, Philippines
Supports overseas Filipino migrant workers and families in Japan through intercultural competency, pastoral care, and mental health advocacy.
Leadership Training for Disadvantaged Youth and Young Mothers ($7,000)
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Provides literacy and vocational training for deaf and marginalized youth, fostering inclusion and economic independence.
Leadership Development: Congolese Community at Africa University ($9,885)
Mutare, Zimbabwe
Strengthens academic and spiritual leadership among Congolese students through mentorship, cultural enrichment, and community-building programs.
Empowered Futures: Healing, Leadership, and Advocacy for Gender Justice ($10,000)
Kidapawan City, Philippines
Supports young women survivors of gender-based violence through healing-centered education, advocacy, and leadership development.
Empowering Out-of-School Girls and Young Women in Iganga District ($10,000)
Uganda Episcopal Area
Provides vocational training and life skills to marginalized girls, empowering them toward self-sufficiency and gender equality.
Community-Based Kiswahili Language and Intercultural Training Program ($8,250)
Kitegura Parish, Uganda
Fosters intercultural competency and unity across ethnic groups through Kiswahili language classes and cultural education workshops.
Dialogue and Advocacy for Peace in the DRC ($5,000)
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Trains church and community leaders to address stigma and discrimination against Indigenous Pygmy populations through peace education and advocacy.
Dulang ng Kapayapaan: Racial Equity and Migrant Ministries ($10,000)
San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines
Supports Filipino migrant families through racial equity, reconciliation, and intercultural ministry training addressing challenges of migration.
Youth for Advocacy, Unity, and Peace for Indigenous Peoples ($8,960)
Tagbakin Atimonan, Quezon – Philippines
Engages youth in advocacy for Indigenous Dumagat communities through environmental justice, cultural preservation, and leadership training.
Youth Peace Builders: Equipping Youth for Conflict Resolution and Leadership ($7,350)
Jinja District, Uganda
Trains youth and young adults in conflict resolution, trauma healing, and transformative leadership to become community peacebuilders.
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About GCORR
The General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) was established by the General Conference of The United Methodist Church to promote inclusion, racial equity, and intercultural competency within the church and the world. Through initiatives like the CORR Action Fund, GCORR supports projects that foster diversity, inclusiveness, and justice, reflecting the church's commitment to embodying the Kin-dom of God.
This content was originally published by the General Commission on Religion and Race; republished with permission on ResourceUMC.org on November 3, 2025.