Common Ground Award - Funding for VCSE organisations bringing people together from different backgrounds

The UK government’s Common Ground Award will invest capital funding into VCSE sector organisations that are bringing people together from different backgrounds, supporting the cost of constructing or renovating facilities, or the purchasing of equipment to deliver services.

The Common Ground Resilience Fund was launched in September to support local places, and a key part of this is promoting the important role of the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector.

The UK government’s Common Ground Award will invest capital funding into VCSE sector organisations that are bringing people together from different backgrounds, supporting the cost of constructing or renovating facilities, or the purchasing of equipment to deliver services.

Type of grant: Competed

Who can apply: The grant is open to applications from VCSE organisations with a base and operating in England, with charitable, benevolent or philanthropic purposes.

Funding available: Up to £1.7 million capital funding within the 2025/2026 financial year, distributed in payments of up to £10,000 per successful applicant. Applicants will be able to set out how capital investment could be scaled up beyond £10,000, which may be considered in exceptional cases - where there is a clearly demonstrated need, supported by a strong application.

Important dates:

• Applications open: 13 October 2025
• Deadline for applications: 21 November 2025
• Funding awarded: January 2026

For more information, visit the gov.uk website