Aims/Priorities: The Windrush Day Grant Scheme is part of the Government's work to create more resilient communities, where different religions, cultures and opinions are celebrated, underpinned by a shared set of values that champion tolerance, freedom and equality of opportunity.
In 2026, the scheme's focus is on bringing communities together, across different ages and ethnic backgrounds. It is expected that events and activities will be inclusive and encourage engagement and participation from people from a variety of different backgrounds, including those beyond Windrush communities.
The funding is for projects that focus on one of the following overarching celebratory aims of the Windrush Day Grant Scheme:
- Raise Awareness: To raise awareness of the historical facts and experiences of the Windrush story. This includes the pioneers who arrived on the MV Empire Windrush in 1948, and those who came on vessels and aircraft in the decades after WW2.
- Foster Pride: To foster a greater sense of national pride and recognition of the historic and ongoing contributions made by the Windrush generation and their descendants to UK society. To proactively support and encourage people from different backgrounds to embrace, celebrate and commemorate this aspect of our shared history
- Encourage & Inspire: To encourage and inspire the descendants of the Windrush Generation to become young leaders, pursue their aspirations and contribute to the shared values of UK society.
Proposals should be unique, bold, creative, community-led, and culturally resonant, engaging with the Windrush story and Windrush communities in powerful, enterprising and thoughtful ways.
Who can apply? Organisations are eligible to apply if they fit into one of the following three categories:
- They are registered
- Charities
- Exempt charities
- Community interest companies (CICs)/Community Interest Organisations (CIOs)
- Social enterprises
- Community benefit societies
- They meet all the following criteria as demonstrated by submitting additional supporting documents:
- They are established for charitable, benevolent or philanthropic purposes
- They have a governing body with at least three members
- They have a governing document which they can produce
- They can provide accounts demonstrating good financial health across both of the last two financial years
- They are a local authority applying as part of a consortium bid.
Local authorities may include a county council; a district council; a parish council; a combined authority; a London borough council; or another organisation set out in Section 33(1) of the Local Government Act 2003. Schools, libraries and other local authority organisations are encouraged to submit bids in conjunction with their local authority.
Proposals that are led by local councils should demonstrate that the proposal has been developed with the Windrush generation and their descendants, and local community organisations.
Consortium bids will be considered.
Proposals must demonstrate clearly how their project will work with local partners. These might include organisations such as museums, libraries and schools.
Organisations that do not directly work with Caribbean-heritage groups may still apply, but their applications must be created with, or informed by, the Windrush community and they will need to describe their plans to engage and work with Windrush Communities as part of their application.
Grant Amount: The budget for 2026 is £500,000.
Grants of between £5,000 and £25,000 are available.
Application Process: Guidance notes and the online application form can be found on the Near Neighbours website.
Notification of decisions in early May 2026. Funding distributed to projects in May 2026.
Near Neighbours will be holding the following online bidder workshops:
- 19 January (12:30 - 13:30)
- 20 January (18:00 - 19:00)
- 21 January (10:00 - 11:00)
- 22 January (17:00 – 18:00)
Registration is via the Near Neighbours website
Contact Near Neighbours for further information.
Deadline: Applications are accepted from 13 January to 10 February 2026 (23:59).
Contact Information: windrush@nearneighbours.org.uk
Website: Windrush 26 — Near Neighbours