Middlesbrough Mela CIC organise the annual Middlesbrough Mela. This is a free, high profile multi cultural festival of regional significance which eflects the aspirations and needs of the communities within middlesbrough and the wider Tees Valley area. Founded in March 2023, the festival works to spread multi cultural awareness as well as aiming to engender respect and awareness for one another's communities, whilst celebrating diversity through cultural participation. It is committed to delivering inclusive and engaging multicultural experiences which unite audiences from all backgrounds, ages and interests. This is achieved by showcasing the very best of global culture, including captivating performances, immersive educational workshops and delicacies from around the world. During the financial year 2025-2026, the organisation’s activities have benefited the community in the following ways:- - All events are free of charge, inclusive and accessible to all. - Over 55 additional employment opportunities were generated for local people. - More than 70 volunteers engaged in community and cultural activity. - More than 1000 young people participated in children’s workshops. - 70,000 attendees across our annual event program, with 60,000 attendees at last year’s Mela alone. - Mela generates more than £1.5million pounds for the local economy. - Mela works with local schools, charities, community groups and cultural partners, aiming to reach every corner of the Tees Valley and support areas where we are needed most. - High levels of integration and cohesion. 55% of our audience identifies as part of the global majority. - Mela is one of the main cultural events in the calendar of the South Asian diaspora, giving the opportunity to see international Asian artists and enjoy an outdoor festival, often for the first time.

The company’s stakeholders are as follows:- - Visitors – mainly from within Tees Valley, although some travel from all over the UK. - Traders – the majority are regional or national who attend as stall holders to sell their specialist products which are unavailable in the North East. - Suppliers – mainly local to support and encourage business growth and the local economy. - Local Authority Partners – specialist knowledge and expertise in public safety, licensing and large outdoor events. - Staff & Directors – all with extensive local knowledge as they have lived in the area for a number of years and developed the business model for the Mela based on their experiences of growing up with eastern and western cultural identities. Consultations take place regularly with all stakeholders and monthly planning meetings are held with local authority partners to ensure all legal, licensing and health and safety obligations are met. Evaluations are carried out using visitor surveys and stakeholder questionnaires. This has helped us to build up a profile of attendees’ needs and what we can do to meet them more effectively. Our research has enabled us to identify the popular trends that affect the Indian diaspora and how much Mela matters to them for fostering positive integration and social harmony within society. We encourage year-round feedback from all stakeholders via direct communication and our social media platforms in order to continuously improve our offering.

The total amount paid or receivable by directors in respect of qualifying services was £17,500

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration