Deadline: 30-Jun-2026
The Digital Support Derbyshire Small Grants Scheme 2026–2028 provides funding to strengthen digital inclusion services across Derbyshire by supporting voluntary and community organisations delivering locally responsive digital support. Grants ranging from £5,000 to £10,000 are available for projects lasting 12 or 18 months beginning from 1 October 2026.
The programme focuses on one-to-one digital support, Digital Champion development, peer-led learning, Digital Health initiatives, innovative digital inclusion approaches, and expanding support to digitally excluded communities across Derbyshire outside Derby.
What is the Digital Support Derbyshire Small Grants Scheme?
The Digital Support Derbyshire Small Grants Scheme 2026–2028 is a funding initiative designed to improve digital inclusion and strengthen community-based digital support services across Derbyshire.
The programme supports voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise organisations working to help digitally excluded residents gain confidence, access online services, improve digital skills, and benefit from digital technologies.
The initiative encourages locally responsive and community-led approaches that improve access to digital support in both home and community settings while strengthening partnerships and innovation across Derbyshire.
Programme Objectives
The grant programme aims to:
- Improve digital inclusion across Derbyshire.
- Increase access to one-to-one digital support services.
- Strengthen Digital Champion networks.
- Expand peer-led digital learning opportunities.
- Address geographical gaps in digital inclusion services.
- Support Digital Health and NHS app usage.
- Encourage partnership working and resource sharing.
- Promote innovative digital support delivery models.
Key Focus Areas
The programme supports several digital inclusion and community development priorities.
Main focus areas include:
- One-to-one digital support in homes and community locations.
- Development of Digital Champions.
- Peer-led digital learning and skills sharing.
- Expansion of digital support into underserved areas.
- Digital Health and NHS app support.
- Partnership and collaborative delivery models.
- Innovative digital inclusion approaches.
- Capacity building and digital confidence development.
These focus areas aim to improve digital access and reduce exclusion among residents across Derbyshire.
One-to-One Digital Support
The programme prioritizes practical, personalised digital support services for residents.
Supported activities include:
- Individual digital support sessions.
- Home-based digital assistance.
- Community-based digital learning support.
- Help accessing online services and platforms.
- Basic digital skills development.
- Support for digital confidence and independence.
These services are intended to help residents improve their ability to use digital tools and online resources effectively.
Digital Champions and Peer-Led Learning
A key priority of the scheme is expanding the number of Digital Champions across Derbyshire.
The programme supports:
- Recruitment and training of Digital Champions.
- Peer-led learning models.
- Community mentoring and support systems.
- Knowledge sharing between residents and volunteers.
- Local digital leadership development.
Peer learning approaches help strengthen long-term digital confidence and sustainable community support networks.
Digital Health and NHS App Support
The scheme also supports Digital Health initiatives that improve access to healthcare-related digital services.
Activities may include:
- NHS app support and guidance.
- Digital health awareness activities.
- Collaboration with GP surgeries and primary care services.
- Community health technology support.
- Use of the Digital Support Derbyshire toolkit.
These activities help residents access healthcare information and digital health services more effectively.
Innovation and New Delivery Approaches
The programme encourages organisations to test innovative methods for delivering digital inclusion services.
Supported innovation areas include:
- New community engagement models.
- Flexible digital support delivery methods.
- Outreach to underserved or isolated communities.
- Creative approaches to improving digital confidence.
- Partnership-based service models.
The initiative encourages learning and adaptation to improve long-term digital inclusion outcomes.
Partnership Working and Shared Resources
The programme strongly promotes collaboration between organisations and community groups.
Partnership approaches may include:
- Shared delivery models.
- Joint outreach activities.
- Shared digital resources and expertise.
- Collaborative Digital Champion networks.
- Community-based partnership initiatives.
These partnerships help improve efficiency, coordination, and local impact.
Funding Available
The programme offers grants ranging from:
- £5,000 to £10,000.
Projects may be delivered over:
- 12 months, OR
- 18 months.
All funded activities are expected to begin from:
- 1 October 2026.
The funding aims to support either:
- Development of new digital inclusion services, OR
- Expansion of existing digital support activities.
Eligible Costs
The programme supports a range of project delivery and operational costs.
Eligible expenditure may include:
- Staff salaries.
- Training and skills development.
- Rent and venue costs.
- Capacity-building activities.
- Operational project delivery costs.
- Community outreach and engagement expenses.
Reasonable capital costs may also be considered where appropriate and supported by quotations.
Device Funding Guidance
Applications focused on devices for participant use are generally redirected toward:
- A dedicated device recycling initiative.
This approach helps ensure efficient use of programme resources and coordination with existing digital access schemes.
Who is Eligible?
The programme is open to eligible organisations operating in Derbyshire excluding Derby.
Eligible applicants include:
- Voluntary organisations.
- Community groups.
- Faith-based organisations.
- Social enterprise organisations.
Applicants must have:
- A constitution or written governing document.
- Operations based in or serving Derbyshire excluding Derby.
- Membership with Digital Support Derbyshire.
Who is Not Eligible?
The programme does not support:
- Statutory bodies.
- For-profit organisations.
- Political promotion groups.
- Religious promotion projects.
- Projects outside Derbyshire.
- Activities already completed before application.
Applicants must ensure their projects meet all programme eligibility conditions.
Why This Programme Matters
The Digital Support Derbyshire Small Grants Scheme plays an important role in reducing digital exclusion and improving access to essential digital services.
Key benefits include:
- Improving digital confidence and independence.
- Expanding access to online healthcare and public services.
- Supporting isolated and underserved communities.
- Strengthening local volunteer and peer support networks.
- Encouraging innovation in digital inclusion.
- Building stronger community partnerships.
- Improving access to opportunities through digital skills.
The programme also contributes to wider social inclusion and community resilience.
Expected Outcomes
The programme is expected to achieve several community and digital inclusion outcomes.
Expected results include:
- Increased number of digitally supported residents.
- Growth in Digital Champion networks.
- Improved digital confidence and skills.
- Increased NHS app and Digital Health usage.
- Expanded digital inclusion services in underserved areas.
- Stronger peer-led support networks.
- Improved collaboration between community organisations.
The initiative aims to create sustainable and locally responsive digital inclusion systems.
How Applications are Evaluated
Applications are likely to be assessed based on:
- Alignment with programme objectives and focus areas.
- Community need and local impact.
- Feasibility and sustainability of the project.
- Innovation and delivery approach.
- Partnership working and collaboration.
- Capacity to reach digitally excluded residents.
- Value for money and budget realism.
Strong applications should clearly demonstrate local relevance and practical implementation capacity.
Tips for Preparing a Strong Application
Applicants can improve their applications by focusing on the following areas:
- Clearly explain the digital inclusion challenge being addressed.
- Demonstrate strong community engagement and need.
- Include realistic delivery plans and timelines.
- Show how the project will reach digitally excluded residents.
- Highlight partnerships and collaborative working.
- Include sustainable peer-support approaches.
- Demonstrate understanding of Digital Health priorities.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid the following issues:
- Weak evidence of community need.
- Unclear project delivery plans.
- Limited focus on digital inclusion outcomes.
- Unrealistic budgets or staffing plans.
- Lack of partnership or collaboration strategies.
- Projects focused outside Derbyshire eligibility areas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Digital Support Derbyshire Small Grants Scheme?
It is a funding programme that supports digital inclusion services and community-based digital support initiatives across Derbyshire.
How much funding is available?
Grants ranging from £5,000 to £10,000 are available.
What types of organisations can apply?
Voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise organisations operating in Derbyshire excluding Derby are eligible.
What activities are supported?
The programme supports one-to-one digital support, Digital Champions, Digital Health initiatives, peer learning, innovation, and community digital inclusion services.
When do funded projects begin?
All funded activities are expected to start from 1 October 2026.
Can funding be used for equipment or devices?
Some capital costs may be considered, but requests for participant devices are generally redirected to a separate recycling initiative.
Is Digital Support Derbyshire membership required?
Yes. Applicants must be registered as Digital Support Derbyshire members.
Conclusion
The Digital Support Derbyshire Small Grants Scheme 2026–2028 provides valuable funding opportunities for community organisations working to reduce digital exclusion and improve digital confidence across Derbyshire. Through support for Digital Champions, Digital Health initiatives, one-to-one support services, and innovative community-led approaches, the programme contributes to stronger digital inclusion and improved access to essential services.
The initiative encourages collaboration, local leadership, and sustainable digital support systems that help residents build confidence and access opportunities in an increasingly digital society. Eligible organisations are encouraged to develop strong community-focused applications that demonstrate practical impact and inclusive digital engagement.
For more information, visit Rural Action Derbyshire.
