Aims/Priorities: This fund aims to support projects that help disadvantaged, excluded, unemployed, and economically inactive people to take the next steps towards further education and skills improvement.
The fund is underpinned by three main objectives:
- Encourage residents to re-engage with skills and training at any point in their lives, no matter what qualifications they have previously attained.
- Supporting residents to acquire a good level of competence in essential life skills such as maths, English, and digital literacy.
- Helping residents to develop the skills and occupational competence needed to progress further in their learning, work, or careers on courses aligned with local employer needs.
Who can apply? Local voluntary and community sector (VCSE) organisations and housing associations that have been formally incorporated for at least two years can apply.
Grant Amount: Grants of between £10,000 and £100,000 are available.
This is divided into two Strands:
- Strand One - Essential life skills:
- Grants to increase participation in Adult Skills through new and innovative ways of engaging with residents and supporting them in further skills provision. Focus will be given to English, Maths, and IT skills.
- Strand Two – Progression towards inclusive employment:
- Grants to help progress people into employment as well as wider work and skills activity, eg working well
Strand 1 - Maximum Project Application Funding Caps
- Bolton - £40,000 cap
- Oldham - £50,000 cap
- Rochdale - Remaining funding is £63,234.70. No cap
- Salford - £50,000 cap
- Tameside - Remaining funding is £31,256.26. No cap
- Trafford - £40,000 cap
- No funding available for Bury, Stockport or Wigan
Strand 2- Maximum Project Application Funding Caps
- Bolton - £30,000 cap
- Oldham - Remaining funding is £38,841. No cap
- Rochdale - Remaining funding is £65,338.39. No cap
- Tameside - Remaining funding is £70,405.22. No cap
- Trafford - £20,000 cap.
- Wigan - Remaining funding is £52,748.48. No cap
- No funding available for Bury, Salford or Stockport.
Application Process: Applications for both Strands 1 and 2 are open.
There is a two-stage application process:
- Groups must first submit a short eligibility form available from the WEA website.
- Eligible organisations will then receive an application pack and guidance notes by email.
Completed applications should be submitted by email.
Deadline: 13 June 2025 (17:00)
Contact Information: GMCommunityGrants@wea.ac.uk
Website: Greater Manchester Community Grants