Deadline: 05-Aug-2026
The Community and Social Cohesion Grants Programme provides funding for projects and events that bring people together, strengthen community relationships, and build safer, more resilient communities across the Lewes District. The programme supports initiatives that promote inclusion, reduce social division, and encourage active participation in community life.
Grants ranging from £500 to £10,000 are available for voluntary, community, and social enterprise organizations working to improve community cohesion, wellbeing, and resilience.
About the Programme
- The programme supports projects that strengthen community connections.
- Funding aims to build trust and understanding between different groups.
- The initiative promotes safe, inclusive, and resilient communities.
- Projects should help reduce social isolation and community tensions.
- Activities are expected to encourage participation and belonging.
- The programme supports both short-term events and longer-term initiatives.
- Applicants can apply under one or both funding categories where appropriate.
Programme Objectives
- Strengthen community cohesion.
- Promote social inclusion.
- Build resilient communities.
- Encourage positive relationships between different groups.
- Improve wellbeing and community participation.
- Reduce isolation and exclusion.
- Address social division and misinformation.
- Create opportunities for cultural understanding and exchange.
Funding Information
- Grant size: £500 to £10,000.
- Funding is provided as one-off grants.
- Applicants may apply under one or both programme categories.
- Projects must demonstrate clear community benefits and measurable outcomes.
Funding Categories
Community Connections and Well-being
This category supports activities that encourage understanding, participation, and respect within communities.
Eligible activities may include:
- Sports and physical activities.
- Arts and creative projects.
- Youth-focused programmes.
- Activities for specific age groups.
- English language and language support programmes.
- Community gardening projects.
- Environmental and green space initiatives.
- Cultural exchange events.
- Food festivals and food-sharing activities.
- Music and cultural celebrations.
- Media projects promoting belonging and inclusion.
- Artistic projects encouraging mutual respect.
Social Cohesion and Resilience
This category supports longer-term initiatives that address division and strengthen community relationships.
Eligible activities may include:
- Community development plans.
- Restorative justice projects.
- Community centres and inclusive spaces.
- Youth clubs and community hubs.
- School engagement programmes.
- Nursery-based inclusion initiatives.
- Tolerance and respect education projects.
- Online safety initiatives.
- Digital literacy programmes.
- Activities addressing misinformation.
- Projects tackling harmful online content.
- Community resilience and trust-building initiatives.
Priority Focus Areas
- Community cohesion.
- Social inclusion.
- Community wellbeing.
- Cultural exchange.
- Environmental engagement.
- Language support.
- Youth development.
- Education and awareness.
- Restorative justice.
- Community resilience.
- Media and arts engagement.
- Digital safety.
- Countering misinformation.
- Reducing social division.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Voluntary organizations.
- Community groups.
- Social enterprises.
- Registered charities.
- Community Interest Companies (CICs).
- Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs).
- Constituted community groups.
Applicants must be based in, or recently established within, the Lewes District.
Applicant Requirements
Organizations must demonstrate:
- Appropriate governance arrangements.
- Effective safeguarding policies.
- Sound financial management systems.
- Commitment to equality and inclusion.
- Compliance with GDPR requirements.
- Secure data management systems.
- Financial stability and sustainability.
- Commitment to Community Wealth Building principles.
- Delivery of social value outcomes.
Applicants must not be:
- At risk of closure or dissolution.
- Experiencing significant financial instability.
- Unable to demonstrate adequate governance arrangements.
Expected Outcomes
Funded projects should contribute to:
- Stronger community relationships.
- Increased participation in community activities.
- Improved trust between different groups.
- Reduced social isolation.
- Greater community resilience.
- Increased cultural understanding.
- Improved wellbeing.
- Safer and more inclusive communities.
- Better awareness of online safety and misinformation risks.
Why This Programme Matters
- Strong communities are better equipped to respond to social challenges.
- Community connections improve wellbeing and quality of life.
- Inclusive activities help reduce isolation and exclusion.
- Cultural exchange promotes understanding and respect.
- Resilient communities are better able to address tensions and division.
- Digital literacy and online safety are increasingly important for community wellbeing.
- Local organizations play a vital role in creating opportunities for participation and belonging.
Application Tips
- Clearly explain how your project will strengthen community connections.
- Demonstrate the need for the proposed activity.
- Show how the project promotes inclusion and participation.
- Include measurable outcomes and impact indicators.
- Explain how different groups will benefit.
- Highlight community partnerships and local support.
- Demonstrate strong governance and safeguarding arrangements.
- Provide a realistic budget and delivery plan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Community and Social Cohesion Grants Programme?
- It is a funding programme that supports projects and events designed to strengthen community cohesion, inclusion, wellbeing, and resilience across the Lewes District.
How much funding is available?
- Grants range from £500 to £10,000.
Who can apply?
- Eligible applicants include charities, CICs, CIOs, voluntary organizations, social enterprises, and constituted community groups based in the Lewes District.
Can organizations apply under more than one funding category?
- Yes. Applicants may apply under one or both categories if their project meets the relevant objectives.
What types of activities can be funded?
- Eligible activities include community events, cultural exchange programmes, environmental projects, youth initiatives, language support, restorative justice projects, digital safety programmes, and community development activities.
Are safeguarding and governance requirements important?
- Yes. Applicants must demonstrate appropriate safeguarding, governance, financial management, and data protection systems.
What outcomes should projects achieve?
- Projects should improve community cohesion, increase participation, reduce isolation, strengthen resilience, and promote inclusion and mutual understanding.
Conclusion
The Community and Social Cohesion Grants Programme offers valuable funding for organizations working to create stronger, safer, and more inclusive communities across the Lewes District. With grants of up to £10,000, the programme supports initiatives that build trust, encourage participation, reduce social division, and strengthen the connections that help communities thrive.
For more information, visit Lewes and Eastbourne Councils.
