Community groups planning events marking Refugee Week in Bradford can apply for a slice of a £3,000 grant.

Refugee Week runs from June 20 to 26 and a range of events are being held, from an African evening to an exhibition about Basque children. Launched in 1998, Refugee Week is a national event raising awareness of the issues surrounding asylum, celebrating the contribution that has been made by people who have sought to escape their own country for the UK and tackling negative stereotypes.

The week is launched on Monday in Centenary Square with fun events from noon to 2pm. There will be speeches from the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Valerie Binney, and chairman of Bradford Action for Refugees Mohammed Abbas, followed by performances from the Kurdish Newroz Group and African drummers. Surestart is organising face-painting sessions for children.

Jim Johnson, of Bradford Action for Refugees, said: "We have use of the Bradford Festival stage and the performers will be giving a flavour of the week's events.

"Representatives from some of the groups taking part in Refugee Week will be joining the Lord Mayor's parade on Saturday, June 25, which has the theme Rivers and Routes (Roots), celebrating Bradford's diverse cultures."

Bradford Action for Refugees has grants totalling £3,000 from Neighbourhood Renewal Community Chest and BIASAN (Bradford Immigration and Asylum Support Advice Network) to distribute among community groups taking part.

BIASAN spokesman Deb Collett said: "There are lots of organisations taking part in Refugee Week and we want to extend all this enthusiasm and activity to community groups throughout the district.

"If any groups or organisations can come up with an idea for Refugee Week and are willing to have it included in the programme, we can give them up to £150 to help make it happen.

"Perhaps a youth group would like to hold a picnic and invite a group of young asylum seekers, or a local history group wants to produce some material on migration to the area.

"Perhaps a community centre would like to welcome new arrivals in the neighbourhood, an asylum seekers' group wants to share experiences with others or a religious group is planning an interfaith evening.

"Whatever the event, if it's relevant to Refugee Week we will consider it for funding. The only limits are that organisations have to act quickly - there are only 20 lots of £150. And they must have a group bank account that we can write a cheque for."

l Anyone interested in holding an event for Refugee Week is asked to ring BIASAN on (01274) 779003.