Comic Relief Local Communities Programme

Funded by Comic Relief logo

There are still many communities in the UK that suffer from economic and social deprivation and the current economic climate may make this situation worse.

For this reason, Comic Relief has decided that £4.5 million should be available to fund projects across the UK which are addressing these issues through a second phase of the 'Local Communities' programme. 

Comic Relief is pleased to be working with the Community Foundation Network (CFN) and Community Foundations across the UK, to deliver this Local Communities programme.

Cambridgeshire Community Foundation is one of the delivery partners.

The Comic Relief Local Communities Programme will run for two years and during this time, grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 will be available.   In Cambridgeshire and Peterborough there is a total of just under £50,000 of funds to allocate over the two year programme.

The Programme aims to empower local people, enabling them to create lasting change in their communities.  Projects  should be run  by people directly affected by the issues they are dealing with and priority will be given to small, locally based groups or organisations in areas of disadvantage that have a clear understanding of the needs of their community.

Under the Programme, organisations can apply for funding to:

  • Increase local services
  • Build skills of local people
  • Increase community cohesion
  • Respond to local economic needs
  • Increase access to sport and exercise for people who face social exclusion and isolation

Organisations which hold a grant directly from Comic Relief, cannot apply for a Comic Relief Local Communities Grant.

A Comic Relief Local Communities Grant must be at least 50% of the total cost of the project.

Who can apply?

  • Community Groups
  • Resident Associations
  • Community Centres
  • Social Enterprises/Community Interest Companies
  • Credit Unions

Types of activities that might be funded

  • Furniture Projects
  • Projects providing access to benefits advice
  • Projects combating fuel poverty
  • Community consultation exercises
  • Community employment projects
  • Food Co-ops
  • Running costs; including salaries, core costs and project costs
  • Committee and volunteer/staff training
  • Community sport activities

Exclusions

Grants will not be awarded to:

  • Individuals
  • Statutory organisations, including schools
  • Fund trips abroad
  • Fund buses, mini buses or other community transport schemes (not including transport costs forming part of a project)
  • Fund building costs, including access adaptations to buildings
  • Organisations which are in receipt of a grant directly from Comic Relief

When can you apply?

The first deadline to apply is 31 Oct 2011. (For this round only, we aim to spend at least 50% of the money available, on projects which ‘increase access to sport and exercise for people who face social exclusion and isolation).

The next rounds will close on 30 April 2012, 31 Oct 2012 and 30 April 2013.

If you want to apply for a Comic Relief Local Communities Grant, click here