The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is providing the new £2.5 million fund to engage people who are least likely to engage with democracy, such as young people aged 5 to 25 years; ethnic minority groups, people who are homeless, regular movers, disabled people and people from low socio economic backgrounds.

The funding is for projects that support people to get involved in different kinds of democratic activity:

  • Informing – helping people understand how democracy works – including how to vote, what their rights are, and how decisions that affect their daily lives actually get made. This could include democracy workshops run in schools, community centres, and youth clubs.
  • Outreach – meeting people where they are, providing more information on democracy at sports clubs and putting on theatre productions that bring the story of democracy to life
  • Widening opportunities – Helping people get involved beyond just voting, through mock votes and elections that let young people experience democracy first-hand, and community forums that give people a genuine say in decisions that matter to them.
  • Removing barriers – targeted, practical support for people who face real obstacles to taking part, whether that’s language, low trust in institutions, or simply not knowing where to start.

Projects need to take place in England, particularly at a local level where there are historically lower levels of democratic engagement.

It is anticipated that around 80 to 100 projects will be funded across England with a wide geographic spread. Most projects will receive up to £25,000, with up to £50,000 in exceptional cases.

Civil society organisations with experience of, or demonstrable capacity to deliver, community based, politically neutral projects in England may apply.

To be eligible, they must:

  • Be a non-governmental, non-profit entity that works independently from the state and market.
  • Be based in the UK.
  • Be legal constituted and show governance and financial controls.
  • Be able to provide two years of accounts.
  • Have an annual income/turnover of between £50,000 and £1 million.

Partnership and consortium are welcome to apply.

The application window opens 22 June and closes 31 August 2026.