New Grant Programme to Support Grassroots Organisations Kick-start Local Employment Initiatives

Groundwork is inviting organisations in Coventry & Warwickshire and West Yorkshire to apply for grants of up to £20,000 to fund projects that will help local unemployed people towards a more positive future.

ESF Community Grants, funded by the European Social Fund, is a brand new programme that aims to support small and voluntary organisations with grants of £5,000 - £20,000 for local initiatives that will move unemployed people towards employment, training or back into education. The programme is being managed by Groundwork UK with delivery by local Groundwork Trusts across Coventry & Warwickshire and West Yorkshire.

Projects that are eligible for funding include activities that improve confidence and promote social integration -such as sports and gardening clubs -, the development of local support groups and networks, such as ‘Job Clubs’ and initiatives that to help personal development, such as assertiveness and motivational training.

A grants panels comprised of representatives from key local stakeholders will help to ensure that the funding reaches those projects who can make a real difference, to those who need it the most.

Graham Duxbury, national CEO of Groundwork said "This is a great opportunity for organisations to support local efforts to help people towards a happier life.  Small and voluntary organisations have the knowledge of the local area, understand needs of the local community and have the potential to deliver targeted and effective localised programmes of support. We look forward to seeing the positive results of the programme."

The programme will run from April 2019 with applications open until October 2020.

Interested organisations can sign up to receive more information here: www.groundwork.org.uk/esfcommunitygrants