The Places Called Home is a £1.5 million grants fund provided by the National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) in partnership with Ikea Limited, the world’s largest home furnishing retailer. The funders anticipate making a total of 300 awards for this pilot partnership programme.
Grants of between £1,000 and £5,000 are available for projects that meet at least two of the following
- Build on the relationships created during the COVID-19 pandemic to increase community activity and the number of people taking part.
- Encourage people to work together, creating opportunities for communities to live in a sustainable and healthy way.
- Raise awareness amongst the public of the importance of connected households, neighbourhoods and resilient communities.
- Develop a new idea, activity or way to come together that has emerged in response to the pandemic.
- Revive or redesign community and common spaces to encourage shared community activities.
The funding can pay for activities or items that will help to revive the community. These could be equipment or materials to renew the community’s shared spaces or activities that focus on sustainable living. The grants can also pay for refurbishment costs, staff and training costs, transport, volunteer expenses and other related costs.
The funding must be spent within nine months of the grant being awarded.
Applications will be accepted from registered charities, voluntary and community organisations, constituted groups or clubs, and other not-for-profit organisations. Schools can apply as long as their project benefits and involves the communities around the school.
Priority will be given to groups who
- Have not received funding from the NLCF before
- Do not have a current NLCF award
- Are smaller organisations or groups with an annual turnover of under £100,000.
Other organisations can apply but should consider the priorities listed above.
Groups should not delay in applying as there is a very short window of application.
The programme will close for applications upon the receipt of 1,500 applications or 14 July 2021, whichever comes first.
How To Apply
The scheme opened for applications on 30 June 2021. It will close upon either the receipt of 1,500 applications or 14 July 2021, whichever comes first. Applicants should hear in around three months whether or not they have been successful.
The online application form and guidelines can be found on the National Lottery Community Fund website.
Useful documents & links
Useful Links
Addresses and contacts
For further information on how to obtain this grant locally, please contact the following:
- UK Portfolio Team
National Lottery Community Fund
Head Office
1 Plough Place
London
EC4A 1DE
Tel: 028 9568 0143
Email: [email protected]