Community groups invited to apply for funding to bring people together
Community groups in England can apply for grants of £20,000 to £250,000 to fund projects that bring diverse people together and strengthen local bonds.
The UK government’s Common Ground Award is inviting community organisations across England to bid for up to £2.5 million in funding to support projects that foster connections between people from different backgrounds. The second wave of the award, launching in September 2026, will provide grants ranging from £20,000 to £50,000 for individual applicants, with consortiums eligible for up to £250,000. Funding is intended for capital costs such as renovating community spaces, purchasing equipment, or creating new hubs where neighbours can meet and build trust.
Successful projects from the first round include Accrington Stanley Football in the Community, which used a new minibus to deliver activities across East Lancashire, and Footprints in the Community in Redcar and Cleveland, which transformed its café into a more welcoming space. The government states the funding aims to reduce prejudice, ease local tensions, and strengthen community resilience by supporting grassroots initiatives that reflect local needs.
Applications will open on 14 September 2026 and close on 12 October 2026, with successful applicants notified in December 2026 and payments expected in January 2027. The fund is open to voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations operating in England with charitable, benevolent, or philanthropic purposes, including those working in consortia to increase local impact.
The Common Ground Award 2026 to 2027 is a competitive grant fund focused solely on capital investment, such as constructing or renovating facilities, spaces, and equipment. Individual grants may reach £100,000 in exceptional cases, while consortium applications can seek between £100,000 and £250,000, provided there is clear evidence of need and significant expected impact.