New Fund to Strengthen Community Cohesion and Resilience

Voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in England are invited to apply for a new government-backed grant programme, the Common Ground Award, which will open in autumn 2025.

About the Fund

The £1.7 million programme is designed to support projects that bring people together from different backgrounds, helping to strengthen community cohesion and resilience. The fund will:

• Provide capital grants of up to £10,000.
• Support new builds, refurbishments and expansions of community facilities.
• Cover the cost of essential equipment such as laptops or furniture.
• Recognise and invest in organisations already making a positive impact on social cohesion.

Who Can Apply?

The scheme is open to VCSE organisations with a base and operations in England, pursuing charitable, benevolent, or philanthropic purposes.

Application Timeline

Applications open: 13 October 2025

Deadline: 21 November 2025

Decisions notified: January 2026

Funding awarded: January 2026

Next Steps

Organisations interested in applying should prepare proposals that demonstrate how their facilities and activities will build bridging social capital and strengthen community connections.

Further details will be available through the official government funding announcements and portals once applications open.

© VCSE Network 2025 | Supporting stronger, more connected communities