National Lottery Project Grants to be Decided by UK Public Vote

Funding to support stronger local networks and engage communities across the UK.

National Lottery Community Fund has announced the launch of the People’s Projects, an award programme which will allow the public to vote for the project ideas they feel most deserving of funding.

The scheme is open to statutory bodies and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) groups with a strong local presence and track record of delivering services in their area.

There is a focus on smaller groups, and those with an annual turnover of less than £500,000 will be given priority.

Projects should:

Bring people together and build strong relationships in and across communities.
Make communities stronger and more inclusive.
Help people or communities develop the skills and capacity they need to achieve their ambitions.
Involve the people the project aims to support in the design, development and delivery.
Support people to create meaningful change in their local community or help it thrive.
Help people and communities connect by engaging with nature.
Build connections across different cultures, different communities, or both.

After a public vote in May/June 2023, 57 winners will receive grants of up to £70,000 and up to 38 runners-up will receive grants of up to £10,000.

Organisations should consider whether they are comfortable running a public campaign which will require several months of commitment and bring significant publicity to the project.

The deadline for applications is 7 October 2022 at 12 noon.

Full details…