We only accept applications for work that fits one or more of our funding priorities under three strategic aims: Our Natural World; A Fairer Future; and Creative, Confident Communities. See all our funding priorities below.
Applying for support
- Choosing a priority: Your work can fit just one priority or it can fit multiple priorities within the same aim or multiple aims. Click a priority to see the long-term outcomes we're focusing our support on. This is what we'll use to assess fit to our strategy.
- Further guidance: Links to further guidance on the types of work we want to support, along with case studies, is under the relevant aim. We recommend reading the guidance for the priority or priorities relevant to your work.
- Submitting an expression of interest: You'll be asked to choose one aim and one priority that your work is the strongest fit to. You will be able to choose up to two additional priorities if relevant.
Our commitments: Climate and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Our strategy is underpinned by our commitments to make progress towards diversity, equity and inclusion; and to address the causes and impacts of climate change. Across all our funding priorities:
- We commit to funding more organisations led by communities experiencing racial inequity.
- We are keen to support work which addresses the causes and impacts of climate change.
Our Natural World
Click a priority below to see the long-term outcomes we're focusing our support on. Additional guidance and case studies for work in Our Natural World is here.
- Peat is no longer a component of horticultural products
- Degraded peatland sites are restored for nature and for people
- Space for nature, and biodiversity, is restored at scale on land and at sea
- More nature rich spaces for people to access and enjoy, particularly those facing barriers to doing so
- Freshwater supports a resilient economy and thriving natural environment
- Freshwater-dependent wildlife and habitats have been restored
- Soil health is restored
- A fairer food system that improves outcomes for nature and communities
- Farmers are supported to lead the transition to nature friendly farming at scale
- Fisheries in the UK are well and equitably managed, using low impact methods
- Coastal communities benefit from and have an active role in managing marine resources
A Fairer Future
Across all our work in A Fairer Future, we are keen to support organisations led by the people they serve. Click a priority below to see the long-term outcomes we're focusing our support on. Additional guidance and case studies for work in A Fairer Future is here.
- A representative cultural workforce led by a new and diverse generation of cultural leaders
- Youth-led creativity builds on young people's power to make change, using creativity to enhance their lives, develop their careers, and influence the world around them (closed to applications)
- A shift in early years provision to ensure that young children (aged 0-5) and their families facing barriers have quality support (closed to applications)
- Fewer young people, particularly those with SEND and/or experiencing racial inequity, in contact with the youth justice system, and excluded from school
- Children’s rights are better met, with specialist legal support and better protection for marginalised groups
- Young people (aged 14-25) with experience of injustice create and lead positive change, and shape decision making
- An end to the ‘cliff edge’ of support for young people leaving care (closed to applications)
- Organisations working towards racial justice across our strategy, led by people experiencing racial inequity, are financially resilient and socially transformative
- Racial inequity in leadership is challenged and changed
- Harm caused by racial injustice in systems, policy and practice is reduced
- Gender based violence is reduced through the delivery of preventative work
- Trans and non-binary people’s rights are recognised and protected
- Policy, practice, and the law better meets the needs of women experiencing multiple challenges and discrimination
- The negative impacts of the criminal justice system on women and their families are reduced
- Migrants have improved access to legal help to exercise their rights
- Legislation and support ensure that migrants' rights are protected, and reflects their needs
- Public understanding and discussion of migration issues is better informed, particularly by those with lived experience of the migration system
Creative, Confident Communities
For these priorities, we mean communities connected by a place. Click a priority below to see the long-term outcomes we're focusing our support on. Additional guidance and case studies for work in Creative, Confident Communities is here.
- Local people come together to determine equitable and aspirational plans for what they want their community to be
- Communities and their local corporate, cultural, public, voluntary and community sectors, work better together to achieve collective change
- Local people are able to exert more influence over the decisions that affect their lives and are the drivers for change.
- An increase of community owned assets and community wealth building models drives greater reinvestment in local economies, reducing economic inequality
- Community-led enterprises are a proven and widely adopted model that underpins fairer local economies
- Community-led approaches to the local economy positively contribute to nature and climate.
- Local people and local artists lead creative and cultural activity in their communities
- A collaborative approach to creativity and culture enables people to work together to strengthen their community
- Local and regional cultural strategies are shaped by citizens and impact wider decision making and agendas for change.
How to apply
If you think your work is a good fit to our strategy, you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). Click the button below to learn more about each stage of the application process and a link to submit an EOI.
People's Voice Media
How we make decisions
We get far more applications than we can fund. To help us make a decision about what applications to take forward, we look at a range of factors based on how strong a fit the work is to our strategy and how well-placed the organisation is to do the work.