Apply Now: London Resilient Communities Grants Programme – UK

London Resilience and partners have launched a programme to enhance emergency preparedness among voluntary, community, and faith groups in London. The initiative offers grants, training, and practical resources to help communities develop emergency plans, act as coordination hubs, and build resilience from the grassroots level.

Programme Overview

The London Community Resilience Programme aims to empower local organisations to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. Recognising that resilience starts at the community level, the initiative focuses on voluntary, community, and faith groups as critical actors in supporting neighbours, mobilising local networks, and maintaining trusted spaces such as community centres, places of worship, and food banks.

Objectives

• Strengthen community-level emergency preparedness and response.

• Support the creation of Community Emergency Plans tailored to local risks.

• Designate Community Resilience Hubs as coordination points for residents during crises.

• Provide practical tools, training, and funding to enable organisations to act effectively before, during, and after emergencies.

Programme Duration

• November 2025 to July 2026

Types of Support Provided

1. Webinars and Training: Free sessions on key resilience topics to build knowledge and skills.

2. Practical Tools: Templates, guidance documents, and resources for creating emergency plans.

3. Grant Funding: Financial support to implement plans and establish resilience hubs.

Grant Details

• Toolkit Grants: £500 to support around 40 organisations in developing a Community Emergency Plan.

• Hub Grants: £1,000 to support approximately 20 organisations in becoming designated Community Resilience Hubs.

Who is Eligible?

• Not-for-profit organisations with a formal structure, including:

  • Charities

  • Constituted community groups

  • Social enterprises

  • Places of worship

• Must hold a dedicated bank account in the organisation’s name.

• Activities must be within the London borough where the organisation operates.

• Must be non-party political.

How to Participate

1. Identify whether your organisation will apply for a Toolkit Grant or Hub Grant.

2. Attend webinars and access templates and practical resources provided by the programme.

3. Submit an application outlining how your organisation will develop a Community Emergency Plan or serve as a Resilience Hub.

4. Implement the plan or hub activities using the grant funding and support offered.

Key Benefits

• Strengthened local coordination during emergencies.

• Increased awareness and preparedness across communities.

• Access to expert advice, practical resources, and peer learning opportunities.

• Financial support to convert plans into actionable resilience measures.

Tips for Applicants

• Clearly outline your organisation’s structure, objectives, and experience in community work.

• Demonstrate how your plan or hub will address local risks and benefit residents.

• Engage community members in developing the emergency plan for greater ownership and sustainability.

• Make use of all training materials, webinars, and templates to strengthen your submission.

FAQ

1. What is the main goal of the programme?
   To empower local organisations in London to enhance community emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.

2. Who can apply?
   Not-for-profit organisations such as charities, community groups, social enterprises, and places of worship operating in London.

3. What types of grants are available?
   Toolkit Grants (£500) for developing Community Emergency Plans and Hub Grants (£1,000) for establishing Community Resilience Hubs.

4. Can organisations outside London apply?
   No, activities must take place within the London boroughs where the organisation operates.

5. What support is provided besides funding?
   Free webinars, templates, practical tools, and recordings to help organisations build resilience at their own pace.

6. How many organisations will receive grants?
   Approximately 40 Toolkit Grants and 20 Hub Grants.

7. Who is delivering the programme?
   Groundwork London, Communities Prepared (Groundwork South), and the British Red Cross, in partnership with London Resilience.

Conclusion

The London Community Resilience Programme offers voluntary, community, and faith organisations a unique opportunity to strengthen local emergency preparedness. By combining training, practical resources, and grant funding, the initiative helps communities act, adapt, and thrive during crises, creating a safer and more resilient London.