Apply for latest round of Community Diversity Grants

The borough’s Equality Forum has re-opened the fund for applications and is offering a total of £2,500

Community groups are being urged to apply for the latest round of Community Diversity Grants being made available.

The borough’s Equality Forum has re-opened the fund for applications and is offering a total of £2,500. Any new or small community voluntary organisation can apply for a maximum grant of £500 to help with things such as developing the organisation, holding events and increasing employment opportunities of protected characteristic communities in the borough.

Applicants will provide innovate and imaginative approaches to promoting inclusion and commit to tackling inequality and discrimination locally. Organisations can apply by downloading the application form from Wokingham Borough Council’s website.

Once completed, this should be returned by email to equalityforum@wokingham.gov.uk. These groups should support:

• Women and young girls
• LGBT+ community organisations
• Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities
• Religious or faith groups
• Older of younger people
• Disabled people/communities

Panel

A panel from the forum, which has more than 30 members from a diverse range of groups, will decide the successful applications.

Alice Kunjappy-Clifton and Emma Cantrell, joint chairs of the Equality Forum, said: “We are delighted to see another round of funding open, giving even more community groups the chance to enhance the local offer available to minorities in Wokingham Borough.

“A great deal of good has already been done thanks to previous rounds of funding. These small grants make a big difference to smaller, underrepresented communities. We’ve seen from the grants awarded what a lasting impact the money can make.”

Previous grant recipients

The previous round of applications closed in October last year and saw another £2,500 awarded. The successful organisations were:

• Berkshire LGBT+ Parents Network
• Me2 Club
• Parenting Special Children
• Project Salama
• Headway Thames Valley

The first batch of grants were awarded towards the end of 2022. Almost £5,000 was given to nine organisations making a difference locally. Case studies on how the money has been used can be found on the council’s website.

The initiative is funded by the council and is part of its Equality Plan 2021-25, where it has pledged to act on its commitments to equality, diversity and inclusion in the way it plans, delivers and shapes its services.

Cllr Rachel Bishop-Firth, executive member for equalities, inclusion and fighting poverty, said: “The benefits of the money awarded through Community Diversity grants are widespread and I am excited to see another round of funding has opened for applications.

“Providing a meaningful impact to underrepresented communities in the borough is a huge part of the council’s ongoing commitment. These community groups know how to help people and tailor proposals to meet their needs. I look forward to seeing lots of applications.”

Applications must be submitted by 5pm on Thursday 8 February.

Our grants

During the current financial year, Woodley Town Council has allocated funds to make the following grants:

• Community Grants – Up to £250, for community groups / organisations either based in or supporting residents of Woodley, to fund one-off costs such as specific projects or purchases.
• Individual Grants – Up to £100, for individuals under the age of 21 living in Woodley, excelling in sporting or cultural activities, to fund representation at county, regional, national or international events.
• Youth Grants – Up to £3,000 (although exceptions will be considered), for organisations, to assist and facilitate projects that reach, engage and support young people (those aged 21 and under) in Woodley.
• Annual Grants – No cap, for fully constituted ‘not for profit’ organisations either based in or supporting residents of Woodley, to fund annual running costs or specific projects.

Please visit the Grants section on our website for more information, including how to apply and when.