2023 Imagine Fund in the United Kingdom

Deadline: 12-May-23

Applications are now open for the 2023 Imagine Fund to support local people and Unincorporated Associations in the City of London to create projects that will bring people together, kickstart a new idea or have a go at something they’ve always wanted to try.

Types of Funds

• Seed Funds
  • The Seed Fund aims to support their community to kickstart a new idea or to have a go at something they’ve always wanted to try. They’re offering micro-grants of £500 to local people to develop new projects that will benefit the area and the lives of the people in it. They’re open to all and any projects – community gardening, workspace, food events, creative workshops, arts projects, local radio – anything you’d like to have a go at with your friends & neighbours.
• Project Grants
  • The Project Grants aims to support their community to create projects that will bring people together across the City and make it a better place to be. They’re offering small grants (£2000 each) supporting individuals and Unincorporated Associations to develop new projects that will positively impact the local area. They’re open to all and any projects – community gardening, workspace, food events, creative workshops, arts projects, local radio – anything you think is needed.

What kind of projects might they fund?

• A knitting group for neighbours, plant projects, creative workspace, community events, film screenings, talks series, listening parties, oral history project, mural painting, creating an archive, recording a podcast, photography, dancing, poetry, performances, courses, training & skills development, cooking classes, languages, art walks, family events, storytelling, research about the area – anything you’re interested in.
• They won’t fund:
  • Registered charities, CICs, CIOs, Businesses, Trusts, schools.
  • Large scale projects that already have funding
  • Projects taking place outside of a 10-minute walking distance from City of London boundary
  • General appeals for funding
  • Activities that promote a political party or religion, or groups seeking to alter decisions made by political parties
  • Retrospectively, or to reimburse expenditure already made or committed, or to clear debts or loans

Eligibility Criteria

• Individuals who live, work, study or have a strong community connection in the City of London (the district, not the entire Capital)
• Individuals who live work or study within a 10-minute walk from the City of London boundary
• Unincorporated Associations can also apply for the Project Fund, as long as their postcode is located in the City of London or within a 10-minute walk from the City of London boundary.
• Please note that:
  • Priority will be given to those who cannot access funding via other routes.
  • The project you propose must also take place in the City of London or within a 10-minute walk from the City of London boundary.
  • They aim to fund a wide range of projects by applicants from various lived experiences, particularly those from minoritised communities

Selection Criteria

They want to support projects that:

• Will benefit local people in the City of London (the area, not the entire capital), especially minoritised communities
• Are relevant to the area and the needs of local people
• Are for and by people who face barriers to opportunities and are underrepresented in the arts. They encourage those who experience mental health conditions, physical health/disability, sensory impairment, learning disabilities, neurodivergence, substance use, identify as survivors, and those from working-class backgrounds, as well as LGBTQIA+, and Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities or traveler communities to apply.
• Are delivered by people who are applying for funding for the first time or have only received small amounts of funding before.

For more information, visit Barbican.