Aims/priorities:
The funding will support experienced not-for-profit organisations which can create and promote opportunities for UK veterans and their families looking to enter employment, and those already in employment who have the aspiration to progress in their careers, to acquire, or work towards acquiring, supplementary qualifications, technical training and skills.
There is particular interest in projects that focus on meeting the needs of veterans who are facing particular barriers. This might be because they have left the Armed Forces with limited qualifications, are not engaged in education, or are from a community that can face additional barriers in accessing employment such as veterans with health challenges (including mental health challenges), disabilities or veterans from minority ethnic communities.
The funding is for projects that are aspirational, inclusive and collaborative and deliver sustainable change.
Applications are particularly welcome for projects which seek to engage with groups beyond the mainstream veteran population such as:
- Women Veterans
- Veterans from Ethnic Minority backgrounds.
- LGBT Veterans.
- Veterans with health or support needs.
- Early Service leavers
- Veterans aged 50+ looking to re-enter the workforce.
Who can apply:
Applications will be accepted from the following:
- A UK university.
- A registered charity registered in the UK (with one or more of the charity commissions for England and Wales, or Scotland or Northern Ireland) for at least three years at the time of their application and able to provide published accounts for all three years if requested.
- A Community Interest Company (CIC) registered in the UK for at least three years at the time of their application and able to provide published accounts for all three years if requested.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be able to demonstrate the involvement of an experienced provider of accredited and industry relevant qualifications. This organisation could be the main applicant or could be a partner within the project.
Collaborative projects are encouraged.
Grant amount:
Grants of up to £70,000 over two years are available.
Where an organisation is bidding for multiple schemes, each scheme should be separately costed, but combined as a single application not exceeding £70,000.
Only one grant will be awarded per organisation.
Application process:
Guidance notes, the application questions and the online application form can be found on the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust website.
Deadline:
The deadline for applications is 8 January 2024 (17:00). Notification of decisions by 31 March 2024.
Contact information:
Email: info@covenantfund.org.uk