Community groups invited to apply for funding to bring people together

The next wave of the Common Ground Award provides up to £2.5m for projects, groups and organisations brining people together and transforming their community.

• Local projects bringing neighbours together and transforming community life are invited to apply for the next round of Common Ground Award funding
• Projects will receive cash to improve the spaces and equipment people rely on to meet, mix and feel part of their community
• Applications open today, building on 211 projects across England already backed by government to continue their vital work

Community organisations across England will be able to bid for new funding to help bring people together, create welcoming local spaces and strengthen relationships in their area.

The Common Ground Award, first launched in 2025, is opening to a second wave of applicants, backing groups that know their communities best and are already helping people from different backgrounds meet, mix and build trust.

That could mean turning a tired community building into a more welcoming hub, buying equipment so more people can take part in local activities, or creating spaces where neighbours can meet, talk and bridge divides. The funding is designed to support projects that encourage understanding between people from different backgrounds, reduce prejudice and help ease local tensions.  

The next round will provide up to £2.5 million in funding, with individual applicants able to bid for between £20,000 and £50,000 to improve the facilities, spaces and equipment that help them continue delivering vital work in their communities.

Groups of organisations working together can also apply for grants of up to £250,000, helping them increase their impact and deliver even more for local communities.

Find out more