On Day Zero of the 2009 Sziget Festival (11th August) artists appearing on the Main Stage will dedicate their performances to the cause of anti-racism.

More than 30 Hungarian and international bands will show their condemnation of racism and their support for tolerance by playing under the banner of "Music Against Racism" ("Zene a Rasszizmus Ellen" – ZARE). Jazz musicians on the nearby Jazz stage will also lend their support to the anti-racist pro-tolerance cause – by also playing under the ZARE banner.

The anti-racist day is the result of collaboration between the British Embassy, UK anti-racism campaigns Rock Against Racism (RAR) and Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR) and the highly prestigious Sziget Festival.

Founder of the original RAR UK movement, Roger Huddle and LMHR National Leader Lee Billingham and British musician Sam Duckworth (also known as "Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly") were in Budapest on 10 and 11 June for discussions with Sziget and to meet potential Hungarian campaign leaders.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband's statement on the initiative

"One of the FCO's Strategic Objectives is to work towards better functioning international institutions, including the EU and the UN. Both of these require their members to provide safeguards for the human rights of their member states' citizens. In the case of Europe, our failure so far to resolve the centuries-old problem of anti-Roma discrimination and marginalisation is a blight on our collective history. It is also a huge economic opportunity cost. I am therefore delighted to endorse and support ZARE – Zene a Rasszizmus Ellen (Music Against Racism).

I am delighted that the FCO is partnering the UK music-based campaigns Rock Against Racism and Love Music Hate Racism and the Sziget Festival in order to promote the values of racial harmony, respect and tolerance in Hungary. The ZARE project is important – especially given the problems of anti-Roma racism which appear to be growing in parts of Central and Eastern Europe.

I am sure there will be a great day of music on 11 August, and I hope that is just the beginning. The idea of using the power of music in this way deserves to be taken up by an energetic team of individuals or an existing organisation in Hungary. Our Embassy in Budapest – whose idea this was – is seeking to be the catalyst to spark such a campaign. Resources have been made available for this from the FCO's new Strategic Campaign Fund. RAR and LMHR are also ready to advise on how such campaigns can be made sustainable. So if anyone in Hungary believes they have what it takes to run such a campaign on a sustainable basis, they are invited to contact our Embassy."

Take the lead in the project

The British Embassy and RAR/LMHR UK are now looking for Hungarian partners to take ownership of a new anti-racist campaign and develop it following the Sziget Festival on a sustainable basis. The Embassy would provide initial support with technical assistance and some financial support.

Existing Foundations, organisations, or individuals with the capacity and interest to take on the campaign are invited to send their expressions of interest to the Embassy.

Applicants should explain:

• what you would do to take the campaign forward
• what relevant experience you have
• what motivates you to do this

Applications should be sent to info@britemb.hu. The successful applicant may be someone with existing links with the music industry in Hungary and may already possess skills such as web design, public relations, marketing and/or communication. But the main qualities required are commitment to the campaign goals, energy and no affiliation with any political party.

The Embassy looks forward to hearing from anyone interested in this project.

The movement in the UK

RAR was launched in 1976 as a response to the rise of the National Front – a violent racist political movement in UK. Bands associated with RAR in its early years included Steel Pulse, Tom Robinson Band and The Clash. RAR ran campaigns throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 2009 RAR organised a special and hugely successful concert in London's Victoria Park to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the original large festival at the same venue back in 1979.

LMHR was founded in 2002 and is in many ways the heir to RAR. Bands associated with LMHR concerts and festivals include Kaiser Chiefs, Damon Albarn, Paul Simonon (The Clash), Babyshambles, Kelly Rowland (Destiny’s Child), Basement Jaxx, Jerry Dammers (The Specials), Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, Estelle, The View, Kasabian, Ms Dynamite, Kano, Asian Dub Foundation, Belle & Sebastian, Antiflag, Hard-Fi. LMHR's largest recent project was a hugely successful concert in Stoke on Trent (NW England) which was attended by 20,000 music fans on 30 May – a tremendous expression of anti-racism in the run up to the EP elections. The Embassy believes that LMHR could provide a model for a similar campaign in Hungary.