Grant Application

1st of May 2025 to 31st March 2026

Closing Date for all applications: 21st of July 2025

Please read the below guidance notes carefully, in particular the Eligibility section before submitting an application.

Introduction:

What is Community Cohesion? A cohesive community is an area where those from different backgrounds share positive relationships, feel safe in the neighbourhood, and have a sense of mutual respect and shared values. Within a cohesive society:

• There is a common vision and sense of belonging by all communities.
• The diversity of people’s backgrounds and circumstances is appreciated and valued.
• Similar life opportunities are available to all; and
• Strong and positive relationships exist and continue to be developed in the workplace, in schools and in the wider community.
• We would like to invite community groups and third sector organisations to apply for funding of between £500 and £2000.

The funding available can be used to build cohesive and resilient communities, including to highlight and celebrate the diversity of communities across Monmouthshire.

Applications are welcomed for events, activities, and capacity building within Monmouthshire focussing on bringing communities together and we are encouraging collaborative work.

Funding must be spent by the end of March 2026. Bids must not exceed £2000.

How to apply for the grant funding:

To apply for this funding, you must submit an application form to partnerships@monmouthshire.gov.uk by the 21st of July 2025. The Council will award grants up to a maximum of £2000.

How are applications assessed and monitored by the Council?

All applications received will be assessed by a panel that will decide whether they are successful, based upon the information in your application form.

The Council will monitor these projects and may ask you for case studies, which may mean that we visit you or ask for information about what your project has achieved. We may also ask for copies of invoices or receipts that show what you have spent the grant money on. We will report to the Welsh Government on Project outcomes.

Timescale: Projects will need to be finalised by March 2026

This funding will be administered by the Monmouthshire Council Community Cohesion Team.

Any queries regarding the grant can be sent to the Community Cohesion Team at partnerships@monmouthshire.gov.uk

Completed application forms should be sent via email by the 21st of July 2025.

Eligibility (Please read carefully to avoid disappointment)

Each application will be assessed, and final decisions made by panel (see below for guidance notes).

To be eligible to apply, the applicant must be a constituted and established voluntary organisation or community group and have a bank or building society account in the name of the organisation or have a host organisation willing to accept the funds on their behalf (payments will not be made to individuals).

Relevant insurances must be in place under the organisation’s constitution.

To adhere to statutory and regulatory conditions and embrace the essence of constituted community organisations, value for money and partnership working, applications from individuals who are not aligned within a constituted group will not be accepted.

In addition, please note the grant will not cover the below and similar costs:

1. Usual salary costs of staff

2. The purchase of items that are intended for use outside of the project

3. Costs of work to maintain property

4. Costs of hire of property / use of premises usually paid for under the organisations normal working practice.

Application Objectives:

Applications must meet at least one of the following objectives:

• Deliver events or activities which bring together those with minority Protected Characteristics and those from the majority, to increase social contact and foster good relations.
• Proposals should consider how projects can support integration, tackle loneliness and isolation, or tackle segregation. Projects should aim to identify commonality through shared interests, experiences, or values.
• Deliver activities which seek to mitigate or eliminate community tensions arising from misconceptions or stereotypes of minority communities.

Applications must demonstrate reasonable costs for activity / value for money, and any expenditure must be substantiated in respect of all costs.

Examples of events or campaigns may include bringing people from different backgrounds together, promoting cultural diversity, cooking sessions, community music, arts-based projects, sports related activities, dance, education, specific campaigns, and awareness raising (e.g. Hate Crime victim support).

What happens next:

You will be notified of the outcome of your application by email.

Successful Applicants:

Regular progress updates, visits from MCC staff and a final report containing evaluation, testimonials, photographs etc will be required.