Grants are available for small local voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations in England that are working to reduce loneliness and isolation by bringing people and communities together. Grants of between £300 and £2,500 are available.
There will be two funding rounds in 2021 with £2 million available for each round. The National Lottery Community Fund is providing £2 million for the second round (summer 2021).
The fund aims to help charities and community groups in England that are working to reduce loneliness by helping them build connections across their communities.
The focus for the second round is changing to reflect the easing of COVID-19 restrictions across the country.
The funding is aimed at bringing people together in safe and secure ways, making people aware of what services are available to reduce loneliness and to build lasting connections.
The National Lottery Community Fund wants to hear directly from organisations about who in their community needs additional assistance.
By a ‘community’, this fund refers to:
- Living in the same area – like a city, town or street
- Who share characteristics – like beliefs, values, interests or faith
- Who can be grouped together in some other way.
Your project should help to:
- Build relationships in and across communities to help reduce loneliness and build connections between people and communities
- Bring together organisations who are working on social connections to celebrate their work, share learning and best practice, and form/bring together peer networks.
This is to help make:
- People and communities feel more connected.
- Individuals feel supported and less lonely or isolated.
- People more aware of services available that help them to connect with others and get involved.
The deadline for applications for Round 2 has been extended from 6 August to 20 August 2021 (5pm).
Guidelines and the online application form are available from the National Lottery Community Fund website: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/local-connections-fund#section-1
