Aims/priorities: The aim is to provide households with the tools that they need to integrate into society and promote cohesion between households and their local communities so that they can participate fully in UK life.
The funding is for VCSE organisations to become 'Principal Sponsors' that recruit 'community Sponsor Groups' who come together to support a resettled household by sourcing accommodation for a period of three-years and providing integration support.
The Government is looking for organisations to help and run local, regional or national projects (particularly those across multiple regions) and welcomes projects implementing innovative approaches as well as more established methods and interventions.
Who can apply? Applications will be accepted from organisations aligned with the Voluntary and Community and Social Enterprise Sector (VCSE) that are based in the UK and provide an offer that can cover England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The following organisations can apply:
- Charity: A registered charity with a UK charity number or a registered CIC (community interest company).
- Community group: A group which is established for charitable, benevolent or philanthropic purposes; has a governing body with at least three members; has a governing document which they are able to produce; and can provide accounts for the last two financial years.
- Community Interest Company: A special type of limited company which exists to benefit the community rather than private shareholders.
- Social enterprise: A business with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners.
- Other voluntary and community organisations.
- Consortium: A group of applicants, with a designated lead partner to manage the programme, and a system for dividing the work and funds appropriately and effectively. The lead partner must be a charity or a community group with a charitable purpose.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be registered in the UK.
- Be established for charitable, benevolent, or philanthropic purposes.
- Have a governing body with at least three members.
- Have a governing document they can produce.
- Have capacity to deliver an expected minimum of 125 sponsorship arrangements.
- Have relevant and up to date safeguarding policies in place
Grant amount: A total of £4.145 million is available for Principal Sponsors to administer the project from August 2025 to 31 March 2031.
The Government expects to fund up to four VCSE organisations, though this may change depending on the applications received.
Funding will be provided on a quarterly basis and will depend on performance.
The grant will be split across financial years 2025 to 2031 and provide:
- Funding of £909 per person to Sponsor Groups for upfront costs including deposits, first month’s rent and other initial costs. There is no cap on household size for funding. Principal Sponsors will be asked to distribute this money to Sponsor Groups.
- Funding of £136 per person per month for three years is available for ongoing monthly costs, including help with rental costs for example. There is no cap on household size for funding. This will be paid via their council.
Application process: The application window opens on 17 March 2025 with a deadline of 10 April 2025 (23:59). Funding awarded on 3 June 2025. Projects to start from August 2025.
The prospectus and all other supporting information can be found on GOV.UK website as well as on the Government Grants page.
Contact the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for further information.
Deadline: Thursday 10 April 2025 (23:59)
Contact information: Email: sponsorship@communities.gov.uk
Website: Communities for Afghans Scheme - phase 2 - GOV-UK Find a grant