Unity and Inclusion Grant

This fund is for any VCSE organisation looking to increase inclusion of their services or bring diverse community groups together in their area.

Grant size: Up to £10,000 (Limited to £5,000 per year but may apply for repeat funding)

Duration: Up to 2 years (must be spent by March 2027)

Funder: Barnsley Council, Love Where You Live

Fund Opens: Open

Deadline: Rolling deadline. See panel dates under more information.

Project start: Rolling

About the fund

The fund is being provided by Barnsley Council, Love Where you Live.  The grant aims to fund projects and events that enhance unity and inclusion across the Barnsley Borough.  

The goal is to support projects or events that bring people together to celebrate unity and inclusion, particularly focussed on supporting vulnerable communities from the groups listed in the community cohesion section below.

Fund criteria

• Activities show support and inclusion of ethnic minority communities to include groups such as:

  • Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities

o Refugees and Asylum Seekers

o Black, Asian or other minority ethnic communities

• Activities and events aim to reduce any community tensions and increase community unity

• Projects addressing Islamophobia are also eligible

• Proposals should consider how their application:

o Tackles isolation and loneliness of these communities

o Helps to identify common interests across the wider community

o Dispel myths about minority communities

o Celebrates local culture and heritage and embraces others

You will be asked to identify which of the above criteria your proposal meets and how.

Specifics

• The project must only be to support and be accessible for people in Barnsley

• You must have a governing document (e.g. constitution or memorandum or association)

• Your organisation must be in the VCSE sector e.g. registered charity, social enterprise, charitable membership body

• You must have a board or management committee of at least three unrelated people who are volunteers

• You must have a bank account in the name of the group requiring at least two unrelated signatories

Examples of what can be funded

• Event costs

• Volunteer expenses

• Resources such as food, craft material, sporting equipment

• Venue hire

• Marketing of events

• Creation of awareness raising materials

What can’t be funded

• For profit organisations, statutory organisations or overseas organisations

• Payments to trustees

• Retrospective funding

• Grant making to other organisations

Amount available

Up to £10,000.  Money will only be received up to £5,000 in one financial year and must be spent within 6 months of receipt.

Panel dates

Below are the panel dates for 2025.  Panel dates for 2026 will be updated

• Tuesday 3rd June 2025

• Friday 4th July 2025

• Friday 8th August 2025

• Friday 29th August 2025

• Friday 17th October 2025

• Thursday 6th November 2025

• Friday 21st November 2025

How to apply

If you need any advice and guidance, please email lovewhereyoulive@barnsley.gov.uk