Support and Integration Fund March 2023

The Community Foundation for Calderdale has partnered with Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council (CMBC) to launch the Support and Integration Fund. The fund’s strong emphasis on social cohesion as a way to reduce inequalities and welcome newcomers to our communities meets both funders’ vision to deliver change and transformation in the coming years.

This fund has a focus on supporting refugees from Ukraine.

What are the grants for?

The overall aim of these grants is to make a welcoming Calderdale for refugees and new migrants in the area. We will award grants of up to £5,000 to local voluntary, community and faith sector groups to help them develop their skills and to fund the support they’re able to provide to refugees and new migrants.

What sort of support? 

Integration support can include projects which will enable and encourage the following:

– Language development
– Social connection
– Learning about the culture of the host community
– Formation of refugee community organisations
– Employment and life skills

What is the aim of the community grants? How much funding is available?

The community integration grants are to enable locally-based community and faith organisations to help build the integration support they are able to offer to refugees and new migrants. This support might be anything from, for example:

• A safe, well-promoted local group for people in need to contact
• Befriending schemes
• Local projects to increase the community understanding and cohesion around migration issues
• Any other ideas which meet the aims of the funding

Organisations can apply for between £500 and £5,000 for a one year project.

A total of £40,000 is available.

Will all successful applications be funded by the amount they requested?

Not necessarily. If you are successful with your application, you may not be awarded the full amount applied for. You should bear this in mind when putting your bid together.

Who can apply for a grant?

These grants are only open to the voluntary, community and faith sector in Calderdale. We will be looking for organisations that are run for the benefit of their members or service users, not to make money for the people who run them.

• Check that your group fulfils the eligibility criteria https://cffc.co.uk/eligibility/
• Please note we will also be asking for an equalities and diversity policy. 
• Check that your group can provide all the documentation/information that will be required to support your application, see application form
• Before applying please read our Conditions of Grant Aid 
• Read our Top Tips for a successful application: https://cffc.co.uk/top-tips-for-applying-for-a-grant/

Please access the application form via this link:

https://ukcommunityfoundation.my.salesforce-sites.com/forms/supportandintegration2022/2023

Currently Funded Organisations

Organisations that were funded in the last round (September- December 2022) can re-apply to develop and continue their current projects, although grants will only be paid on receipt of an acceptable monitoring return for the first grant.

Can organisations with little or no experience of working with refugees and new migrants apply for a grant?

We welcome applications from organisations that have not previously worked with this client group but who will make every effort to inform themselves of the needs and challenges of this client group to offer appropriate support.

Will there be training available on the issues facing new migrants for successful community grant applicants?

We would expect all community grant recipients to attend relevant training to increase their understanding of integration and wider issues facing refugees and new migrants in Calderdale.

How do these grants link to Calderdale being a Valley of Sanctuary?

We would expect all grant recipients to work closely with the Valley of Sanctuary to ensure local projects and organisations support the Valley of Sanctuary vision.

Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary has been launched as part of the City of Sanctuary movement, which is committed to building a culture of hospitality and welcome, especially for refugees seeking sanctuary from war and persecution. These local groups from boroughs, towns and cities across the UK and Ireland work to create a culture of welcome across every sphere of society. Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary creates opportunities for relationships between local people and those seeking sanctuary, leading to greater understanding and support from the host community. A large part of the work is to ask organisations to sign a pledge supporting Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary and do something practical. This could be a number of things:

• inviting someone from St. Augustine’s Centre to talk to your staff; myth busting and offering a real insight into what life is like for people seeking sanctuary
• working proactively to ensure refugees and new migrants can access your services with minimal barriers
• finding opportunities for refugees and new migrants to volunteer within your organisation, or get involved with your work in other ways
• offering work placements or apprenticeships to refugees
• becoming involved in the Valley of Sanctuary Steering Group

To find out more about the Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary visit their Facebook page

What is the closing date for grant applications?

The fund opens for applications on Monday 6^th March 2023.

All applications and supporting documentation must be received by Friday 25^th March 2023.

How will the award decision be made?

Each application will be evaluated by Council officers and the Community Foundation for Calderdale Grants Panel.

When will I know if my application has been successful? 

 We will notify applicants about award decisions by Friday 15^th April 2023.

Further information and guidance is available from:

Phone the Grants Team on 01422 349700

Email:

Kirsten Fussing            kirsten.fussing@calderdale.gov.uk

Rob Billson                     rob@cffc.co.uk

Danni Bailey                  danni@cffc.co.uk