£1.5m Collaboration Funding Programme Launched to Support and Influence Change Locally
Criminal Justice Programme event, where charities came together to share learnings and successes among the peer group. Hosted by Lloyds Bank Foundation at Lift, Islington on 4 May 2023. Speaker Vera Baird DBE KC shared reflections and tips on influencing change in the Criminal Justice system, drawing on her career and experiences.
Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales has launched a funding programme to support local collaborations to influence and achieve local or regional change around improving three key issues: social security system, access to appropriate and affordable accommodation, and support for asylum seekers and refugees.
The Foundation has been supporting small and local charities for nearly 40 years and has seen the difference they make to people and communities. But after a decade of austerity, the impact of the pandemic and the heightened pressure on the cost of living, small charities can’t do it alone. Building impactful collaborations that can push for the changes needed to make a positive impact on people’s lives takes time, resources and perseverance but are needed more than ever.
The Foundation will award flexible grants of £100,000 over two years to established and new collaborations, bringing partners together around a shared goal to influence change locally and regionally. Collaborations must be led by small charities with a clear vision for change and a plan to achieve greater impact through partnership. Collaborations will have the opportunity to extend by a further year and an additional £50,000. This programme is not about supporting service delivery or influencing national government – the Foundation has had other programmes supporting such work. The collaboration should be seeking to influence the policy and practice of others aligned with at least one of the following themes:
- Making the social security system work better for those facing the most significant challenges.
- Making sure people facing complex issues have access to suitable accommodation.
- Improving support and services for asylum seekers and refugees.
Paul Streets, Chief Executive of Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales, said: “Experience has shown that collaboration and partnership working enable charities to achieve more together than they can alone. Though it’s frequently the only way to deal with the issues charities are trying to address, it can be challenging to find funding for collaboration. Our new funding programme will support small and local charities in developing impactful and sustainable collaborations that will influence others and transform lives in communities across England, Wales and beyond.”
The Local Collaboration Programme has been developed through consultations and discussions with charities, and examination of existing partnership models, collaborations, and effective methods of support.
The Foundation has been supporting small and local charities working with people facing complex issues and barriers. In addition, it has given grants to organisations working to change public policy and practice in the areas of accommodation, social security, and refugee and asylum seekers.
Charities interested in the Local Collaborations Funding Program can learn more and apply on the Lloyds Bank Foundation website. The deadline for applications is 22 September, 5pm.
To find out more, visit www.lloydsbankfoundation.org.