The Neighbourhood Watch Network is a grassroots charitable movement. It is the largest crime prevention voluntary movement in England and Wales and has upwards of 2.3 million members. Schemes are run by volunteers across England and Wales supported by volunteer Associations, and by the Neighbourhood Watch Network, the national umbrella organisation for the movement
The Neighbourhood Watch Network aims to promote:
o Good citizenship, community safety and greater public participation in the prevention and detection of crime, and
o Public support for the work of the police service and other partners in the protection of people and property from, and the prevention of, crime.
The Network’s Community Grants Fund is intended to fund new, innovative work that helps further its 2020-2025 strategy. The scheme’s funding priorities are:
o Building or enhancing local networks and relationships.
o Developing/improving community cohesion (perhaps with an emphasis on supporting others through the cost-of-living crisis they are experiencing).
o Enhancing the role of volunteers.
o Improving the community environment and wellbeing.
o Proactively engaging/involving people under-represented in the National Watch Network (for example, BAME, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, or young people’s voices (where relevant safeguarding procedures are in place), and
o Supporting crime prevention activities.
During the previous funding round in the Spring of 2022, 100% of available funds went towards activities or one-off development projects that help groups or associations promote and support Neighbourhood Watch's 40th Anniversary. The size of grants in the Spring 2022 round ranged between £100-£500. Groups could only hold one grant at a time and one grant per financial year.
Grants are available to registered Neighbourhood Watch Network members who are representatives of a registered and recognised Neighbourhood Watch scheme, group, Area or Association in England and Wales.
Funding is not available for:
o Activities that are not charitable in law.
o Activities that have already taken place (retrospective funding).
o Activities where the primary benefit is to enable a public body to carry out its statutory obligations.
o Any work that does not align with their values and objectives.
o Financial services fees.
o Grant making, or equivalent gifts in kind, by other organisations.
o individuals.
o Items that are already provided by an Association.
o Privately owned and profit-distributing companies or limited partnerships.
o Street CCTV units, street patrols, PCSOs, or private street security personnel, or
o Websites.
Further information, guidance and application details are available on the Neighbourhood Watch Network website.
To apply, applicants should complete the application form, which can be downloaded from the Network’s website (scroll down to the bottom of the page). Applicants must also complete a budget form together with any documents as required within the application form.
The deadline for applications is Thursday 30th November 2023.
