Last week saw the Equality and Human Rights Commission launch a new £10 million grants programme to help grassroots organisations continue their work to combat equality and discrimination despite the current economic downturn.

The Strategic Funding Programme, which builds on the Commission’s 2008-2009 interim grants programme, is intended to provide three-year project-based funding for community and voluntary sector organisations that are involved in directly serving their local communities. The Commission is particularly keen to fund activity that will meet an unmet need and has the potential to inspire longer-term work.  Work which can contribute towards strategic aims at a national level, as well as achieving an impact locally, will be prioritised.

The fund has two key priority areas:

• Priority One:  Providing guidance, advice and advocacy services, infrastructure development and capacity building.
• Priority Two:  Good relations.

UK registered charities, charitable bodies, not-for-profit companies and community-interest organisations are all eligible to apply and could receive up to £150,000 per year for three years.

The deadline for applications is 12 June 2009.

For further information visit:

Equality and Human Rights Commission:  http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/Pages/default.aspx

Strategic Funding Programme Press Release:  http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/newsandcomment/Pages/Commission-announces-£10-million-funding-programme-for-voluntary-and-community-sector.aspx

J4bCommunity:  http://www.j4bcommunity.co.uk

Source: j4bCommunity