Returning after a 3-year break, the People’s Projects programme is a public voting grant scheme that is being provided by the National Lottery Community Fund in partnership with ITV, UTV (the UTV region covers Northern Ireland) and the Sunday Mail. Applicants should ideally have:
o A strong local presence.
o A track record of successfully delivering projects at a local level, and
o An annual turnover of under £500,000.
The programme is offering the following grants for projects across the United Kingdom which engage communities and create strong networks following a public vote. Approximately 95 organisations with a broadly even geographic spread across the UK will be shortlisted for the following award categories:
o 57 winners will receive a grant of up to £70,000, and
o Up to 38 runners-up will also receive a grant of up to £10,000.
Projects should
o Bring people together and build strong relationships in and across communities.
o Build connections across different cultures, different communities, or both.
o Help people and communities connect by engaging with nature.
o Help people or communities develop the skills and capacity they need to achieve their ambitions.
o Involve the people the project aims to support in the design, development and delivery.
o Make communities stronger and more inclusive, and
o Support people to create meaningful change in their local community or help it thrive.
Grants can be used for:
o Equipment and materials.
o Events and activity costs.
o People’s time (that may not be staff).
o Staffing costs.
o Training costs.
o Translation costs.
o Transport.
o Up to £10,000 in total towards larger or longer-lasting items (for example, furnishings for a community space).
o Utilities bills or running costs related to the project, and/or
o Volunteer expenses.
Funding is not available for:
o Activities outside the UK.
o Activities which generate profits for private gain.
o Alcohol.
o Contingency costs, loans, endowments or interest.
o Developing or buying land or buildings.
o Items which will only benefit an individual or family, rather than the wider community.
o Larger or longer-lasting items where the total cost is more than £10,000 including VAT.
o Overseas travel.
o Political or lobbying activities.
o Profit-making or fundraising activities.
o Religious activities.
o Retrospective costs.
o Statutory activities, or
o VAT that can be reclaimed.
Further information, guidance and an online application form is available on the National Lottery Community Fund website.
The application deadline for Stage 1 applications is midday (12 noon) on Friday 7th October 2022, although please note that the National Lottery Community Fund has advised that the programme may close early if it becomes oversubscribed. Early application is therefore advised.
Applicants that are shortlisted at Stage 1 will be required to participate in a high-profile public-facing media campaign featuring the ITV, UTV, the Sunday Mail and the National Lottery Community Fund..
Public voting will close in May 2023 and winners are expected to be announced in June 2023.
Contact details for the Fund are:
The People’s Projects Programme
National Lottery Community Fund
Apex House
3 Embassy Drive
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 1TR
Tel: 0345 4102 030
Email: general.enquiries(at)tnlcommunityfund.org.uk
