VS6 Partnership launch new “LCR Cares” open grant funding programmes for VCFSE organisations

This week the VS6 Partnership, in collaboration with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, have launched two new open grant funding programmes for the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector across the City Region.

The LCR Cares grant scheme, administered by VS6 partner Community Foundation for Merseyside (CFM), builds upon the success of the LCR Cares campaign created during the COVID-19 pandemic and aligns with key priority areas for the City Region for both LCR CA recovery planning and the VCFSE sector manifesto.

The two open grants programmes launched this week are:

·         Community Wealth Building Fund – Supporting VCFSE organisations to rebuild the connection between people and places that create wealth locally, providing catalyst grants for capacity building for locally owned community groups. Grants of up to £5000 available.

·         Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund – Supporting VCFSE organisations that are helping vulnerable adults impacted by poor mental health and wellbeing based within their local community. Grants of up to £5000 available.

Both grants will be awarded across all six boroughs in the City Region and applications are open until Tuesday 15th March 5pm. For further information on the grants programmes please click the links above or visit the CFM website.

Completed applications will be considered by the Community Foundation to check eligibility and a decision-making panel with representatives from across LCR boroughs will make recommendations based on the fund’s criteria and the budget available.  We expect decisions to be made in early May 2022.

The grant programmes have been shaped by the priorities and needs of the VCFSE sector in LCR following the engagement VS6 has carried out with the sector over the last few years and the development of the LCR VCFSE Manifesto. They are also a positive outcome of successful collaboration and partnerships developed between the VCFSE sector, VS6 and the LCR Combined Authority and we are excited for the support these grants will bring for our VCFSE organisations and our LCR communities.

VS6 is a partnership of infrastructure support organisations working with the 8,600 voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) groups operating across our Liverpool City Region.

VS6 work together to champion the vital role our sector does and could play in the future of the City Region, while seeking to shape local policy and implementation for the benefit of our communities.