Funding Opportunities
Included in this section are summaries of available funding opportunities which community groups may wish to apply for. For more detailed information, community groups are advised to visit the individual website of the funder. Please take note of the timescales / deadlines for applying for funding and the funding criteria which you will need to meet in order to be eligible to apply.
The information contained in this section of the website was correct at the time of publication.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund Virtual Funding Information
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest dedicated funder of the UK’s heritage. Their vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.
As part of the Heritage Fund's Heritage Places initiative, County Durham will receive targeted support to ensure heritage is integral to plans and approaches that are making local areas better places to live, work and visit.
Join Engagement colleagues Sarah Envy (Newcastle), Sarah Ledjmi (Leeds) and Jodi Larder (Newcastle) from the Heritage Fund, in partnership with Durham Community Action and County Durham Community Foundation, for an introduction to their funding.
It will be an opportunity to
- Discover what heritage means, and how it can work for you and your organisation.
- Learn about National Lottery Heritage Grants with funding available from £10,000-£250,000, and the four investment principles underpinning Heritage 2033, the Heritage Fund’s new 10-year strategy.
- Hear from guest speaker Christine Thomas, Chief Executive of Building Self Belief CIO, who will share her experience of delivering 'The Consett Iron Company 160th Anniversary- Community Heritage Project'.
- Speak to members of the Heritage Fund Engagement Team about your project ideas and how to apply for funding.
- Connect with other organisations to build your networks and join conversations about their projects
This online event which takes place on Tuesday 25th June from 2.00 - 3.00pm is perfect for groups and organisations who are:
- Looking to work with others to develop a project that will benefit communities in County Durham
- New to grants from the Heritage Fund and want to learn more
Could we be the right funder for you? To find out more about who and what we fund
We look forward to seeing you there.
New Award Launched to Celebrate Sharing Communities (UK)
Ahead of the annual Big Lunch event, an annual get-together for neighbours and communities, Eden Project Communities, in partnership with FareShare and City & Guilds, has launched a new Sharing Tables Award to highlight the importance of communities sharing friendship, food, skills, and resources.
The winning community will receive a package worth £5,000 to support this year's event and kick-start more local activities.
The awards package includes:
- a specially designed The Big Lunch Sharing Table for community gatherings
- funding for community projects and ideas
- a hamper of food and resources to support a Big Lunch event
The sharing table design will be based on the community's needs, whether it is a table with seats where a ‘knit and natter’ group can share conversation, a workbench for skills sharing or a picnic bench for food sharing outdoors.
A further three finalists will each receive a hamper to support their Big Lunch and £500 towards a project or idea to support the local community.
The competition is open to communities, streets, neighbourhoods or projects across the UK until 9am on the 20 May 2024.
More information:
Funding from Northern Powergrid Foundation 2024
The Northern Powergrid Foundation has funds available to support communities that have been affected by changes in the economy, environment and society because of the shifting energy landscape. Organisations can apply for grants from the Foundation to fund their community project.
For more information and how to apply visit: Homepage | Northern Powergrid Foundation.
Closing date for applications is 13 May 2024.
Summer holidays 2024 funding available
Department for Education funding is available for face-to-face activities for children and young people during the Summer 2024 holidays.
Targeted at school age children from Reception to Year 11 who receive benefits-related free school meals; the Fun and Food programme aims to support local community groups and organisations based in the Derwent Valley Partnership (DVP) area to deliver enriching activities during the school holidays. Alongside this, Durham County Council have secured funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund which will be available to DVP applicants for school aged children not eligible for DfE funded places but who are identified as having a vulnerable need.
An application form, guidance and full funding criteria can be requested from the DVP by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Please read the guidance document carefully and ensure that all sections of the form are complete.
Applicants must consider:
- That the minimum amount that can be applied for is £500.00.
- Each session should last at least 4 hours.
- At least one healthy meal must be provided during each session, and this must meet school food standards and be warm where possible.
All fully completed applications and supporting documents must be sent via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 12 noon on Wednesday 22 May 2024.
Funding available - The Big Arts Project 2024
Grants are available to not for profit groups in the Derwent Valley Partnership area through Durham County Council’s Big Arts Project, for projects working towards the promotion of good mental health, wellbeing and resilience through arts and culture.
The Derwent Valley Partnership (DVP) has £10,000 available, with a minimum grant of £2,500 per project, for not-for-profit organisations including statutory providers, voluntary and community sector groups and schools.
Successful applicants will be encouraged to promote their projects to participants across the Derwent Valley area, with particular focus/promotion of their work, during the week of World Mental Health Day (WMHD) 2024 which runs from 7th to 13th October 2024.
Getting involved with culture and arts can have powerful and lasting effects on health. Examples of projects we would be looking to fund include: visual and performing arts, traditional crafts, sculpture, digital art, text, dance, film, literature, music, singing, gardening, and the culinary arts.
The deadline for expressions of interest is 5pm on Tuesday 30 April 2024.
For further information, or to express an interest in the funding, please contact the DVP Team at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
