The National Lottery will open small grant applications for the Local Connections Fund on 5 January 2021, to help small charities and community organisations in England reduce loneliness. 

Grants from £300-2,500 will be awarded to small organisations with an annual turnover of less than £50,000.

The money, provided by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport and the National Lottery Fund, must be spent on projects that tackle loneliness in communities. It could be put towards technology or equipment that helps people be together safely, or to strengthen organisations and their services (for example, through training and development).

There are two rounds of funding:

• Round one will open for applications from 5-21 January 2021. The money from this round must be spent on projects by 31 March 2021.
• Round two will open for applications in summer 2021.

Eligible organisations include small charities, voluntary or community organisations, CICs, non-profit businesses, and constituted groups or clubs. You cannot apply for costs which have been funded by other means. 

Click here for more details, and to apply.