Deadline: 26-May-2026
The Workforce Fund under the Movement, Activity and Sport programme supports organizations in York and North Yorkshire to train, develop, and upskill staff and volunteers to expand inclusive movement, sport, and physical activity opportunities. The initiative focuses on strengthening workforce capacity to increase participation among underserved and inactive communities while improving long-term health and wellbeing outcomes.
Program Overview
The Workforce Fund is designed to strengthen the skills, knowledge, and delivery capacity of organizations involved in movement, physical activity, and sport initiatives. The programme aims to build a stronger workforce that can sustainably deliver inclusive and accessible opportunities across communities.
The initiative supports organizations seeking to improve services, expand delivery models, and reach individuals who may experience barriers to participation. The programme places strong emphasis on increasing access to physical activity opportunities among communities that are currently underrepresented or inactive.
Focus Areas and Program Objectives
The programme supports several workforce and community development priorities.
Key objectives include:
• Strengthening workforce skills and capacity
• Supporting staff and volunteer development
• Expanding participation in movement and sport activities
• Supporting inclusive and accessible delivery approaches
• Reaching underserved and inactive communities
• Improving long-term community health and wellbeing
• Supporting early intervention and prevention strategies
• Strengthening sustainable delivery models
• Increasing engagement across diverse participant groups
Priority focus areas include:
• Rural communities experiencing isolation
• People with disabilities
• Women and girls
• Early health intervention and prevention initiatives
• Community approaches addressing anti-social behaviour and crime prevention
Key Funding Categories
The programme operates across three categories.
Sport and Physical Activity Sector
Supports organizations such as sports clubs seeking to diversify activities and engage participants beyond their existing membership base.
Activities may include:
• Expanding programme offerings
• Reaching new audiences
• Increasing participation opportunities
Non-Sport Sector
Supports organizations introducing movement and physical activity into their existing services.
Activities may include:
• Community engagement programmes
• Physical activity-based initiatives
• Service enhancement activities
Workforce Fund
Supports workforce development and delivery capacity improvement.
Activities may include:
• Staff training
• Volunteer development
• Skills enhancement programmes
• Delivery model improvements
• Capacity-building activities
Key Concepts Explained
Workforce development refers to improving the skills, capabilities, and effectiveness of staff and volunteers.
Inclusive participation involves ensuring opportunities are accessible and welcoming to diverse groups of people.
Match funding refers to financial or in-kind contributions provided by applicants alongside grant support.
In-kind support refers to non-cash contributions such as volunteer time, facilities, equipment, or services.
Early intervention refers to actions designed to address potential issues before they become larger challenges.
Funding Information
The programme provides structured funding support according to project size.
Funding details include:
• Minimum funding request: £3,000
• Typical maximum funding amount: £20,000
• Exceptional cases may receive: Up to £30,000
Funding structure includes:
• Smaller grant requests may receive full funding support
• Larger grants require increasing levels of match funding contributions
• Match funding may be provided through cash or approved in-kind support
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants must meet programme and governance requirements.
Eligible organizations include:
• Organizations with constitutions or articles of association
• Organizations based in York or North Yorkshire
• Organizations with evidence of active programme delivery
• Partnership or consortium applications
• Eligible Community Interest Companies (CICs)
Applicants must also demonstrate:
• Safeguarding policies and procedures
• Financial history and management capability
• Ability to meet match funding requirements
Community Interest Companies must additionally demonstrate:
• Financial sustainability beyond grant income
• At least three unrelated directors
Who is Not Eligible?
The programme excludes certain organizations and project activities.
Ineligible applications include:
• Individuals or sole traders
• Curriculum-based school activities
• Retrospective costs
• Consultancy fees
• Bid-writing expenses
• Core organizational operating costs
• Vehicle purchases
• Profit-driven projects
• Activities outside York and North Yorkshire
• Projects focused mainly on arts outputs
• Horticulture-focused projects
• Projects better suited to alternative funding sources
Why This Opportunity Matters
A skilled workforce can significantly improve access to physical activity opportunities and strengthen community wellbeing. Building workforce capacity can help organizations deliver more inclusive programmes and reach people who traditionally face barriers to participation.
Potential benefits include:
• Increased community participation
• Stronger inclusion and accessibility
• Improved workforce skills and confidence
• Better long-term health outcomes
• Reduced social isolation
• Stronger preventive health interventions
• Greater sustainability of programmes and services
What Applicants Need to Do
Organizations interested in applying should prepare proposals aligned with programme priorities.
Recommended actions include:
• Develop workforce-focused project plans
• Identify target communities and expected outcomes
• Secure match funding where required
• Gather governance and safeguarding documentation
• Demonstrate previous delivery experience
• Build partnerships where appropriate
• Present realistic implementation and sustainability plans
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid common issues that weaken proposals.
Common mistakes include:
• Weak evidence of community impact
• Missing safeguarding documentation
• Incomplete financial information
• Failure to demonstrate sustainability
• Applying without required match funding
• Including ineligible costs
• Providing unclear workforce development plans
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of the Workforce Fund?
The programme supports organizations in training and developing staff and volunteers to improve delivery of movement, activity, and sport opportunities.
How much funding can organizations request?
Organizations can request a minimum of £3,000, with most grants capped at £20,000 and exceptional cases receiving up to £30,000.
Who can apply?
Organizations based in York or North Yorkshire with appropriate governance structures and delivery experience may apply.
Can partnerships apply?
Yes. Partnerships and consortium applications are encouraged.
Is match funding required?
Yes. Larger funding requests require increasing levels of match funding support.
Can Community Interest Companies apply?
Yes. Community Interest Companies may apply if they meet additional financial and governance requirements.
Are school curriculum activities eligible?
No. Curriculum-based school activities are excluded from funding.
Conclusion
The Workforce Fund aims to strengthen the people delivering movement, sport, and physical activity opportunities across York and North Yorkshire. By supporting workforce development and inclusive service delivery, the programme seeks to improve participation, wellbeing, and sustainable community impact across priority groups.
For more information, visit North Yorkshire Sport.