4 May 2020
Emergency Funding for Community Radio Stations
Emergency cash funding to support Ofcom-licensed community radio stations facing severe financial difficulty due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
The Government has announced that the Ofcom-administered Community Radio Fund will be used to provide a lifeline for radio stations hit hardest by the coronavirus/COVID-19. Relevant stations will be invited to bid for emergency grants through Ofcom to help meet their core costs.
A total of £400,000 is available in 2020. There is no limit to how much can be applied for. However, applicants should only apply for what is really needed and should consider which payments could be deferred. Because of the expected high demand for funding, those who request lower amounts are more likely to be awarded the full amount requested.
Commenting on the emergency funding, Minister for Media and Data, John Whittingdale, said:
“Community stations across the country are helping people through the pandemic with up-to-date news and entertainment and through their role coordinating volunteer networks.
“We recognise the difficulties they face and are releasing emergency funding to help them continue providing programming and services for the communities they serve.”
Applications will be accepted from 4 May 2020 until 5pm on 11 May 2020.