Discover Funding Opportunities

Programme and Project Partners (PPP) Social Impact Fund

The Programme and Project Partners (PPP) Social Impact Fund provides grants to individuals and organisations in the former local authority areas of Allerdale and Copeland in Cumbria, England. The fund enables access to educational and training activities that raise career aspirations, support individuals in becoming work ready, facilitate entry into meaningful employment, and remove barriers to employment and economic participation. Priority is given to projects supporting unemployed people in gaining skills, training, and employment opportunities, reaching individuals with complex barriers to employment, and helping people in areas of high deprivation move closer towards or into employment. The fund is currently closed and will not be accepting applications again until April 2026.

Lord Bragg Fund for Wigton

The Lord Bragg Fund for Wigton provides grants for individuals aged 11-25 who reside or study in Wigton, or for groups supporting children and young people in Wigton, to engage in positive activities and/or access education or training which raises aspirations. Applications from individuals who live in the town of Wigton will be the priority. The fund specifically targets young people facing challenging circumstances such as low-income households, recent bereavement, chronic illness, care-experienced individuals, those impacted by domestic violence, young carers, those at risk of school exclusion, or those at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training). Applications from individuals must be supported by a teacher or lecturer from their designated school or Further Education college. The fund supports costs associated with work-experience activities, instruments for talented musicians, theatre workshops for aspiring actors, training costs for aspiring athletes, and life skills sessions focusing on finance, housing, and money management. Groups supporting young people in Wigton can also apply to develop skills that will equip them for adult life.

Live the Dream Fund

The Live the Dream Fund provides grants for individuals and groups in the former boroughs of Allerdale and Copeland to enable access to educational or training activity which raises career aspirations. The fund is funded by BNFL and administered by Cumbria Community Foundation. Young people living in the former boroughs of Allerdale or Copeland, with priority given to those aged 16-25, can apply for support. Individuals will need to provide evidence of excellence in their chosen field, and household income will be taken into account. Voluntary and community groups which directly benefit individuals in the former boroughs of Allerdale and Copeland may also apply, and must provide evidence of how they will raise aspirations for local young people. The fund supports projects such as living costs for students at university, coaching and training costs for promising young athletes, apprenticeship wages for youth organizations, events to promote career aspirations, and employment programs for young people.

David and Margaret Rankin Fund (Skills and Training)

The David and Margaret Rankin Fund provides grants for individuals and groups to empower young people to realise their potential, pursue their aspirations, and further their skills and training which supports their journey into business or employment. Priority is given to projects that help and empower young people, activities that support the development of knowledge or skills, and activity that encourages young people into farming. Examples of supported activities include business training for young people, mentoring programmes, courses for industry-specific certificates of competency, and travel expenses to support work experience. Grants for individuals will normally be up to £1,000 over one year, while grants for groups will normally be up to £5,000 over one year. Grants may be a single award, or a series of awards paid annually for up to three years and dependent on progress.

Cumbria Tourism 50th Anniversary Fund

The Cumbria Tourism 50th Anniversary Fund provides grants for people aged 16 and over to help raise educational attainment and career aspirations in the Cumbrian tourism and hospitality sectors by enabling access to study, vocational training and employment. This fund supports individuals who are living, studying, training or newly employed in the tourism or hospitality sector in Cumbria. The fund helps cover essential costs that enable people to pursue education and career opportunities in these sectors, including specialist equipment, course fees, study materials, travel costs, and hardship costs that enable completion of studies or training programs. Household income is taken into account when assessing applications, and evidence of anticipated expenditure is required with each application.