Pilot fund to support innovative projects

Faith groups in England can apply to a new £1 million pilot fund to support innovative projects combating loneliness and isolation, providing debt advice and helping those who were unemployed during the pandemic get back to work.

The funding is being made available through the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government’s new Faith New Deal pilot fund.

Funded pilots will be innovative projects to strengthen engagement between local and national government and faith groups - testing what can be achieved when they work together. The programme will fund projects to tackle social issues, including those arising from the impact of COVID-19, to support the recovery efforts of communities. Applicants must demonstrate how they will support one or more of the following COVID-19 recovery objectives :

• mental wellbeing and loneliness
• debt advice
• employability
• food poverty
• increasing community engagement through volunteering

Organisations can bid in their own right or as part of a consortium of organisations and the maximum grant available is £200,000. Bids up to £125,000 will need to demonstrate in-kind match (non-cash) commitment from their own or wider sources (venues, volunteers or staff hours). Larger bids for grants over £125,000, will require a match donation from a philanthropic funder

The closing date for applications is the 7 October 2021.