The funding will support projects run by charities, voluntary and community organisations, CICs, CIOs and statutory bodies that build stronger connections across communities, and improve the infrastructure and conditions that are needed to strengthen these connections.

The funding, which is made available through the National Lottery Community Fund’s Bringing People Together programme, will enable organisations to deliver collaborative projects across at least two countries in the UK that focus on equality, diversity and inclusion, particularly amongst people of colour, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people, and asylum or refugee seekers.

The National Lottery Community Fund expects that most of the funding will go to projects that request between £200,000 and £500,000. There will be a smaller number of awards for projects above £500,000.

They're interested in projects that:

• deliver across at least two UK countries (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) – we encourage smaller organisations to work in a network or partnership
• are bold and experimental responses to bringing people together using new approaches, or a new combination of approaches
• can demonstrate clear positive impacts for communities, including those communities most in need of support
• have a clear focus on equality, diversity and inclusion
• can demonstrate they can learn and adapt as they go.

Your project must also meet at least one of the priorities listed.

Area: UK-wide

Suitable for: Voluntary and community organisations

Funding size: Up to a maximum of £1 million for up to five years. We expect most of the funding will go to projects that request between £200,000 and £500,000. There will be a smaller number of awards for projects above £500,000.

Application deadline: Ongoing