Applications open for Leeds Digital Inclusion Fund (United Kingdom)

The Leeds Digital Inclusion Fund provides grants of up to £10,000 to help community organisations across Leeds deliver sustainable digital inclusion initiatives. The fund supports projects that improve digital access, develop essential digital skills, reduce digital exclusion, and help people confidently access online services, education, employment, healthcare, and community support.

What is the Leeds Digital Inclusion Fund?

The Leeds Digital Inclusion Fund is a community grant programme that supports organisations working to reduce digital exclusion across Leeds.

The fund helps organisations build long-term digital inclusion into their everyday services so that more people can confidently access the internet, develop digital skills, and benefit from online opportunities.

Projects supported by the fund should create lasting improvements that enable individuals and communities to participate safely and independently in the digital world.

Fund Objectives

The Leeds Digital Inclusion Fund aims to:

• Improve digital access across Leeds.
• Develop essential digital skills.
• Build sustainable digital inclusion services.
• Increase confidence in using online tools and services.
• Improve access to healthcare, education, employment, housing, and public services.
• Reduce social isolation through digital connectivity.
• Strengthen organisational capacity to deliver digital support.

Key Highlights

• Programme Name: Leeds Digital Inclusion Fund
• Grant Amount: Up to £10,000
• Project Duration: Up to one year
• Eligible Applicants: Not-for-profit organisations, charities, and eligible community organisations
• Funding Categories:
  • Up to £5,000 for test-and-learn digital inclusion projects
  • Up to £10,000 for expanding existing digital inclusion work
• Location: Leeds, United Kingdom
• Additional Support: Successful applicants receive project support from 100% Digital Leeds

Who is Eligible?

The programme welcomes applications from organisations working to improve digital inclusion within Leeds.

Eligible applicants include:

• Incorporated not-for-profit organisations
• Registered charities
• Community organisations
• Voluntary organisations
• Small unincorporated or unregistered organisations applying for grants of £5,000 or less, provided they meet the income requirements

Applicants must also have:

• Appropriate governance arrangements
• Financial records
• A bank account with suitable signatories
• Safeguarding policies where applicable

Priority Communities

The fund particularly encourages projects supporting communities that are often under-represented in grant funding, including:

• LGBTQIA+ communities
• Racially minoritised communities
• d/Deaf people
• Disabled people
• Digitally excluded individuals
• People experiencing financial or social disadvantage

What Projects Can Be Funded?

The fund supports projects that sustainably improve digital inclusion.

Eligible activities include:

• Building organisational digital inclusion capacity
• Integrating digital inclusion into existing services
• Teaching essential digital skills
• Providing digital devices and equipment
• Improving internet connectivity
• Testing innovative digital inclusion approaches
• Establishing Digital Health Hubs
• Creating long-term digital support sessions
• Expanding successful digital inclusion programmes
• Supporting access to online government and council services
• Helping people access online employment, housing, education, and healthcare services

Projects should create sustainable, long-term benefits rather than short-term interventions.

Eligible Costs

Funding may cover:

• Digital devices and equipment
• Internet connectivity
• Staff salaries
• Additional staff capacity
• New project staff
• Resources needed to deliver digital inclusion activities

Projects That Will Not Be Funded

The programme does not support:

• Completed or retrospective projects
• Political campaigns
• Discriminatory activities
• Capital building appeals
• Overseas organisations
• Statutory organisations
• Grant-making programmes
• For-profit organisations

How to Apply

Follow these steps to submit a strong application:

1. Confirm that your organisation meets the eligibility requirements.
2. Identify the digital inclusion challenge your project will address.
3. Develop a realistic project plan and budget.
4. Contact 100% Digital Leeds to discuss your proposal before applying.
5. Prepare evidence of community need and expected outcomes.
6. Complete the application form with all required supporting documents.
7. Submit your application before the deadline.

How Applications Are Assessed

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Community need
• Strength of partnerships
• Project feasibility
• Sustainability of the project
• Clarity of objectives
• Quality of the budget
• Expected impact on digital inclusion

Why This Fund Matters

Digital access has become essential for education, employment, healthcare, financial services, and everyday communication.

The Leeds Digital Inclusion Fund helps organisations:

• Reduce digital inequality.
• Improve digital confidence.
• Increase access to online public services.
• Strengthen social connections.
• Improve physical and mental wellbeing.
• Build financial resilience.
• Create long-term community digital support networks.

By investing in sustainable digital inclusion, the programme helps ensure that more people can participate fully in modern society.

Tips for a Successful Application

To improve your chances of receiving funding:

• Demonstrate clear evidence of community need.
• Explain how your project will create lasting digital inclusion.
• Include measurable outcomes.
• Prepare a realistic and detailed budget.
• Build partnerships where appropriate.
• Contact 100% Digital Leeds before applying.
• Clearly explain how your organisation will sustain the project after funding ends.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common errors:

• Applying without meeting eligibility requirements.
• Requesting funding for completed activities.
• Providing an unclear project plan.
• Submitting unrealistic budgets.
• Failing to explain community need.
• Ignoring sustainability after the grant period.
• Not consulting 100% Digital Leeds before submitting the application.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How much funding is available?

The fund offers grants of up to £10,000.

2. What are the two funding categories?

• Up to £5,000 for test-and-learn projects.
• Up to £10,000 for expanding existing digital inclusion initiatives.

3. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include incorporated not-for-profit organisations, registered charities, and certain small unincorporated community organisations.

4. What types of activities are eligible?

Projects that improve digital access, develop digital skills, establish Digital Health Hubs, increase connectivity, or expand sustainable digital inclusion services.

5. Can funding be used for staff costs?

Yes. The fund may cover increased staff capacity and new staff costs directly related to the project.

6. Is it necessary to contact 100% Digital Leeds before applying?

Yes. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposals with 100% Digital Leeds before submitting an application.

7. How are applications assessed?

Applications are assessed based on community need, partnership strength, project feasibility, sustainability, and the clarity of the proposed project plan and budget.

Conclusion

The Leeds Digital Inclusion Fund provides grants of up to £10,000 to help community organisations create sustainable digital inclusion services across Leeds. By supporting projects that improve digital access, develop essential digital skills, and reduce digital inequality, the programme enables more people to benefit from online education, employment, healthcare, and public services while building stronger, more connected communities.