Grant News
A new fund has been launched to help community businesses in England develop their ideas and learn new skills to design a community tech solution. Power to Change, which is a charity that works to promote and support community-led enterprises, has announced the launch of the Discovery Fund, which will run over six months. This fund aims to provide £10,000 to 20 organisations each, enabling them to explore tech-based solutions to meet some of the challenges in theircommunity or business.
To support the organisations in this process, they will be offered a place on CAST's digital design programme, Community Explore. Through this programme, participants will receive guidance and full support as they work out their ideas and develop their projects.
In addition, all grantees will receive an extra £2,000 to facilitate engagement with the community of practice and to participate in Third Sector Lab's Open Working and Reuse programme. This additional funding will enable grantees to collaborate, network with peers, and work transparently. At the end of the six-month period, grantees will have the opportunity to showcase their learning or pitch their community tech solution during an online demo day.
Power to Change has a particular focus on supporting community businesses led by teams from minoritised or racialised backgrounds. They also seek to assist community businesses that aim to address issues of marginalisation or racial inequity, recognising the challenges they face in accessing funding and navigating the larger tech ecosystem.
Applications for the fund will be accepted until midday on 21st July 2023.
Power to Change will hold two online events where potential applicants can find out more and ask questions about the Fund. To find out more click on the links below.