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What’s the application process? 

We are inviting community groups and organisations to submit a short Expression of Interest (EoI) form that demonstrates their eligibility and suitability for the fund. Applicants will be asked to show that they have an innovative idea about how to create knowledge that leads to action in their community, but that funding and support is needed to further develop and test their idea. Applicants are encouraged to attend a Community Knowledge Fund Pre-Application Workshop to ask questions about the fund, help inform the ideas they may want to take forward to application and meet others who may be working on similar themes or approaches.

We’ll be considering the range of organisations across the whole fund portfolio. This means we will be looking to award a mixed portfolio of community groups to balance engagement and representation across the UK. Applicants will also be expected to demonstrate how they will address equity, diversity, and inclusion in their work. Applicants who can demonstrate their idea directly involves communities experiencing marginalisation related to income and or identity, are particularly encouraged.

The Young Foundation may request a call with applicants to discuss their EoI. These conversations will focus on understanding suitability more. Following scoring, The Young Foundation will confirm participation in the grant programme with successful applicants.

What information is required at the EoI phase?

The first phase of the application asks eligibility questions about your eligibility:

• What best describes your organisation? (charitable trust, registered charity, community interest company, social enterprise, cooperative society, local authority, community benefit society, voluntary or community group, non-profit company limited by guarantee – or a partnership.)
• What is the focus area of the challenge you’re working on? (Community Safety and Resilience, Environment and Sustainability, Open Category)
• Tell us about your community (up to 75 words)

The second phase asks suitability questions:

• What local challenge will your idea address, and how does it relate to the themes of this fund? (up to 250 words)
• What do you hope to develop and test, and what about your idea is different from what you have done before? (up to 250 words)
• Who do you hope might benefit from your idea and how? (up to 150 words)
• How is your idea creating knowledge at a community level and how this might help shape the research and innovation sector? (up to 150 words)
• Tell us about a time when you have changed the way you work through something you have learned? (up to 150 words)

You may also wish to add information about other people, organisations or community groups who would support your participation in the Community Knowledge Fund

When does the fund open and what is the deadline to apply?  

• Phase 1 EoI window opens at midday on Wednesday 21 September 2022
• Phase 1 EoI window closes at 11.59pm on Monday 7 November 2022

Successful applicants will be announced no later than Friday 27 January 2023.