Community organisations across England looking to improve spaces where people can connect and co-operate can now apply for grants of up to £50,000 from Space to Connect – a £1.6 million partnership between the Co-op Foundation and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
Funding builds on the government’s commitment to unlock the potential of community spaces as part of its Loneliness Strategy. It also extends existing support for organisations working to make spaces more sustainable.
Two strands of funding are available:
ENHANCE
Organisations that are using community spaces in innovative and creative ways can apply for grants of £30,000 to £50,000 to help expand activities and embed sustainable ways of working so they can build a more secure future. Revenue and capital funding is available. Applications close at midday (12pm) on Wednesday 31 July. Watch the video to learn more about how grants can be used.
EXPLORE
Organisations that want to help communities start to explore ways that local challenges could be addressed through better use of space, and/or identify potential spaces that could be opened up to community use can apply for grants of up to £10,000. Revenue funding only. Applications close on at midday (12pm) on Monday 12 August 2019. Watch the video to learn more about how grants can be used.
Space to Connect is launched as Co-op partners with Locality on the Endangered Spaces campaign to protect, support and improve 2,000 at-risk community spaces by 2022.
Get involved in Endangered Spaces or join the conversation on Twitter using #saveourspaces.
Co-op Foundation also offers interest-free loans UK-wide to community organisations looking to make spaces more sustainable. Find out if you’re eligible.
Community groups based in Wales that run a space for the benefit of local people and the environment can apply for Wales-specific interest-free loans. Read more.
There is also the potential for organisations who secure ‘Explore’ grants to apply for further funding at a later date to continue this work.