Grant News

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced that applications for the Democratic Engagement Fund will open on 22 June 2026. The fund will provide grants to civil society organisations in England to deliver politically neutral, place-based activities that help people understand, engage with and participate in democracy.

The £2.5 million fund is designed to support groups that are currently less democratically engaged and to build evidence on what works to increase participation. Priority groups include young people up to 25, ethnic minority groups, disabled people, people experiencing homelessness, regular movers and people from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Eligible applicants include charities, CIOs, CICs, companies limited by guarantee, community benefit societies, co-operatives and other VCSE organisations. Applicants must be UK-based, non-governmental, non-profit organisations delivering activity in England. They must be politically impartial, legally constituted, have operated for at least two years, and have an annual income between £50,000 and £1 million.

Most grants will be up to £25,000, with exceptional awards of up to £50,000 for applicants who can demonstrate greater impact and value for money. Funding can support outreach, informing and widening participation activities such as democracy days, community champions, language-accessible sessions, youth councils, mock elections, deliberative forums and democratic education in community settings.

Applications close on 31 August 2026. Funding decisions are expected in January 2027, with projects able to begin from March 2027 and delivery completed by 31 October 2027.