Case studies

Find out more about how we work and who we work with by taking a look at our Featured case study or click on the case studies below.

To maximise bfm's impact, Priscilla has teamed up with CIDA. She initially attended a number of business-related courses, before enrolling on specific filmmaker-focused initiatives. These, she says, have all proved invaluable to her development. More

For business advice, Auro Foxcroft headed straight to CIDA. "I'd studied just around the corner from their offices in Whitechapel, so I already knew about CIDA," he says. "I did one of their courses straight after finishing university – and once Village Underground was underway, I really got stuck in." More

With little business experience, Yemisi Mokuolu (the driving force behind East London-based Hatch Events) faced a steep learning curve. But after hearing about CIDA from a friend, she approached them for practical guidance and support. More

When Ranjit Jhita first approached CIDA for help, he couldn't understand why his new business offering quality design services at subsidised rates to the voluntary sector was struggling to get off the ground. More

When Hackney-based singer-songwriter Diahann Topping – aka Dee – stepped up to the mic at East London's The Spitz in May 2004, she had no idea just how positively the crowd would react. Dee's live show was the culmination of a pilot project conceived by CIDA and Prevista. More

Matthew Krishanu moved to Hackney to fulfil his ambition of becoming a professional artist and community arts project co-ordinator. He knew East London had a reputation as a creative hub and after doing some research he discovered a few fantastic local organisations that could help him reach his goal. More

Comaps-Music is a Hackney-based charity working to promote, manage and develop Central African music culture in the UK. It was established in 1998 by Aimé Aziza, a Congolese session musician studying commercial music at the University of Westminster. More

Limehouse Arts Foundation (LAF) provides quality affordable studio space for visual artists and arts educational opportunities for the local community. Based in Bromley-by-Bow in East London, the foundation was established in 1993 and is currently used by 50 artists. More

Prescious Online is an Internet based community and magazine dedicated to promoting, inspiring and informing women of colour in the UK and beyond. It was established in 2000 by Foluke Akinlose, an editor and journalist working at ITN Online. More

Samson Soboye, a graduate of Central St Martins College worked as a freelance fashion stylist and as a sales manager at a fashionable design boutique. More

Vesna first came to Britain from Serbia almost ten years ago. When she graduated from Middlesex University she set about learning some basic business skills and the practicalities of realising her designs by working for an established fashion designer. More

For more information on any of these case studies please email CIDA.