The funding is open to community organisations for example, community groups. clubs, charities, Community Interest Companies (CIC), Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIO), Religious Groups - please note the funded activity should not be used to promote the religious beliefs of the organisation.

In exceptional circumstances, local authorities can be funded. This is where they:

• have a track record with the identified audience
• are best placed to work with that audience
• where there are very few community organisations doing the same work with a similar audience
• the project is meeting a gap/providing additionality

NHS and CCGs can receive funding if they:

• have a track record with the identified audience
• are best placed to work with that audience
• where there are very few community organisations doing the same work with a similar audience
• the project is meeting a gap/providing additionality.

The funding is to cover the increased costs of providing or delivering physical activity to reduce the impact of the cost of living crisis or Covid-19 Pandemic.

For example:

• Needing to hire a larger space
• Needing to hire a venue for longer to allow for cleaning protocols
• Needing to reduce the number of people attending sessions
• For organisations that own/rent their own facility, utility and insurance costs can be included in an application
• Purchasing additional equipment e.g. a speaker so a group can still hear in a bigger area, more equipment so that participants do not need to share during a session etc.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Coaches/instructors, leaders
• Additional training – either for instructors delivering to a new audience, or team members to support delivery
• Promotional costs – to encourage participants back

This funding is offered as emergency funding, as a result there are a few restrictions.

• It is not possible to apply for funding that you have already received for the same items or projects. For example, if you are eligible for Government support (e.g. rates); if you successfully received a Sport England Community Emergency Fund which included insurance costs, these cannot be re-applied for.
• The funding is for community groups. clubs, charities and organisations. This funding is not for sole-traders, partnerships, freelances or consultants.
• It is not possible to apply for capital works (including erecting football goals)
• It is not possible to apply for funding to replace existing (tired or worn out) equipment
• It is not possible to apply for management costs. The purpose of this fund is for as much money to reach the organisation and their participants/audiences

Whilst it is expected most of the applications will be between £500 - £5,000, larger projects will be considered. Organisations may apply for a maximum of £10,000.

Funding needs to be spent by 30 September 2023.

It is not possible to apply for funding that you have already received for the same items or projects. If you were successful in receiving Sport England funding you cannot be funded for items previously funded (for example community emergency funding awarded for insurance).

1. Complete the Expression of Interest form

2. You will be contacted by a member of the Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire team - in case any final changes are suggested

3. Responding to feedback from Active HW, submit a final application

4. You will receive a decision

5. You will have until 30 September 2023 to spend the money

The evaluation required will be very light-touch. It is likely that more information will be required for larger funding applications (£2000+) than for smaller grants (up to £2000). During the application stage and when the funding offer has been made, we will discuss and agree this with you.

We are particularly keen to understand the 'learning', so we can build on what we have learned from organisations thus far. We want to continue to learn about how you are working and about the people/participants that you engage with. We are keen to develop interactive case studies. We will work with you to develop these stories (photos and videos would be fantastic) so we can share the stories far and wide.

Finally, at the end of your project, we will contact you to reconcile the funding.