The National Voter Registration Alliance (NVRA), founded by Operation Black Vote (OBV), is a collaborative platform bringing together over 20 organisations to boost voter registration, tackle the democratic deficit, and increase civic engagement across the UK. Since its inception in 1996, OBV has been a pioneering, non-partisan campaign dedicated to advancing racial justice and equality. Through the NVRA, member organisations share resources, strategies, and best practices to drive impactful voter registration campaigns and foster a more inclusive democracy. Whether you’re a seasoned organisation or new to the field, the NVRA offers a space for learning, capacity building, and the development of skills through regular meetings, both in-person and virtually, to review progress, share updates, and plan collaborative campaigns and activities.
If you’re interested in joining or would like more information, please email fope.ajanku@obv.org.uk.
Alliance Members Include
We are currently planning our next NVRA meeting. Please stay up to date by visiting our website or following us on social media.
For any immediate questions, please contact Fopé on fope.ajanku@obv.org.uk
Supported by the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust, the National Voter Registration Alliance (NVRA) is a crucial collaboration of organisations in the democratic space who are dedicated to increasing voter registration across the UK and especially within minority communities. Together, we are sharing best practices, creating innovative campaigns, knowledge sharing and developing a hub of voter registration tools in the run-up to the next general election.
Download Our Terms of ReferenceEstablished in 1996, Operation Black Vote (OBV) is a renowned institution in the UK, committed to catalysing a profound transformation in democratic representation spanning over three decades. The idea for OBV originated in December 1995, following a series of controversial Black deaths in police custody in the London Borough of Lambeth.
OBV was founded through collaboration with Charter 88, a constitutional reform group, and the 1990 Trust, a prominent Black charity of its time. Though no longer in existence, these organisations have left enduring legacies through OBV.
The inaugural founding board of Directors, formed in 1998, included key figures such as Pam Giddy, Director of Charter 88; Kumar Murshid, Tower Hamlets Councillor and Cabinet member; Rita Patel, Director of Belgrave Baheno women’s organisation and then Board Member of 1990 Trust; Lee Jasper, the then Director of the 1990 Trust and chair of Mangrove Community Association. David Weaver also served as support and advisor from the 1990 Trust Board.
Currently, the OBV board consists of David Weaver (Chair), Rita Patel (Vice-Chair),Meena Dhobi, Kiran Kala & Janhoi McGregor
We envision a Britain where every individual, regardless of their background, actively engages in a vibrant, inclusive, and thriving 21st-century democracy.
Our goal is to help build a society where democracy thrives, and human rights are cherished.
We are rooted in the struggle for racial and religious equality and justice here in the UK and recognise the critical importance for global African, Asian, and Caribbean unity at home and aboard.
We believe Britain must emerge into a 21st-century multicultural democracy grounded in respect for human rights, equality and justice for all. We do so by safeguarding democratic and human rights, advancing race equality, and deepening democratic practice within African, Asian, and Caribbean heritage communities. Through collective and deliberative efforts, we will promote a culture of open democracy and political engagement.
We will collaborate with others to challenge systemic racism in the UK. We will actively engage with global African, Asian, and Caribbean communities develop Black political agency and empowerment.
Our mission is to amplify Black voices in the debate about how to build a more equitable tomorrow in a society founded on accessible citizenship, judicial rights, racial justice, equality, and fairness.