Aims/priorities: The Places Called Home is a £1.5 million grants fund provided by the National Lottery Community Fund in partnership with Ikea Limited, the world’s largest home furnishing retailer. The funding is intended to inspire and help people get more involved in their local community as a positive, homely place to be and meet other people. The aim is to build on the energy, creativity and practices of communities coming together during the COVID-19 pandemic, through local activities and the renewal of community spaces.
The funding is intended for a range of not-for-profit organisations that can meet at least two of the following criteria:
- Build on the relationships created during the COVID-19 pandemic to increase community activity and the number of people taking part.
- Encourage people to work together, creating opportunities for communities to live in a sustainable and healthy way.
- Raise awareness amongst the public of the importance of connected households, neighbourhoods and resilient communities.
- Develop a new idea, activity or way to come together that has emerged in response to the pandemic.
- Revive or redesign community and common spaces to encourage shared community activities.
Who can apply? Applications will be accepted from the following organisations that are based and working in the UK:
- Voluntary and community organisations
- Constituted groups or clubs
- Registered charities
- Charitable incorporated organisations (CIO)
- Not-for-profit companies
- Community interest companies (CIC)
- Schools (as long as the project benefits and involves the communities around the school)
- Statutory bodies (including local authorities, town, parish and community council)
- Community benefit society.
Grant amount: Information on the grant level will be provided once the scheme opens for applications.
Application process: The online application form and guidelines will be available on the National Lottery Community Fund website from 30 June 2021.
Deadline: The scheme will open for applications on 30 June 2021. It will close upon either the receipt of 1,500 applications or 14 July 2021, whichever comes first.
Contact information: Tel: 028 9568 0143, Email: UKPortfolioTeam@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk
Website address: tnlcommunityfund.org.uk