BME Engagement Fund grant 23-24 applications

Applications open on Monday 30 October for the latest round of our Engagement Fund for BME communities in the city.

The Engagement Fund aims to support projects that improve the well-being of Black and Racially Minoritised residents and promote fairness.

Groups can apply for grants of up to £2,000 to help cover group activities and running costs to May 2024.

Nine community groups were awarded grants from last year’s BME Engagement Fund, including a multicultural women's cycling club, an over 50s group, a group supporting Black and Racially Minoritised families and children with disabilities, and projects helping to highlight black history and cultural heritage.

Councillor Leslie Pumm, chair of the Equalities, Community Safety & Human Rights Committee, said:

“The BME Engagement Fund has supported a variety of fantastic projects making a real difference to communities across the city. We’re very happy to be able to offer the grants again this year.

“The fund is aimed at improving well-being and promoting fairness for Black and Racially Minoritised communities in the city, as part of our work to tackle inequality and become an anti-racist city.

“We’ve set up the application process to be as accessible as possible so that smaller grassroots groups can benefit.”

Application details

The fund is open to organisations that: 

• Are Black and Racially Minoritised led and/or have a predominantly Black and Racially Minoritised membership
• Have an annual income of £20,000 or less 
• Aim to improve well-being, build cohesion or promote fairness

Groups must have a governing document and are expected to have a bank account or be in the process of opening one.

Groups can apply for grants of up to £2,000 out of a total fund of £15,000. 

The application details will be available on the Communities Fund webpage from Monday 30 October. The deadline for applying of 8 December 2023, with the successful bids notified in early February 2024.

All grants need to be spent by 31 May 2024.