Community Employment Spoke VCS Grant Funding – six-month pilot
Sandwell Coucnil is inviting local Voluntary and Community (not for profit) organisations and consortia to apply for a grant of £30,000 per town. One grant will be awarded in each of the six Sandwell towns.
We are looking for an organisation or a partnership of organisations to develop a community spoke in one of the six Sandwell towns. Activities and support should be delivered across all neighbourhoods of that town.
Support should be accessible for all communities and residents, regardless of their employment status or age. To be eligible, residents should live within Sandwell (preferably the town you are delivering from) and be aged 16 plus.
The Community Spoke should operate as a locally accessible employment and skills support network that brings together a range of organisations to provide coordinated support for residents. The model should be based on collaboration, early intervention and community engagement, ensuring that residents can access support within their own town and at locations that are familiar, trusted and easy to reach.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be able to demonstrate a minimum of five years' experience of delivering employment and support activities and have Matrix IAG accreditation
The project will be delivered between 1 October 2026 – 31 March 2027.
The closing date for applications is 5.00pm on Monday 28 September 2026
For further funding information and a copy of the Application form please contact: ami_crampton@sandwell.gov.uk
Applications received after the deadline will not be processed.
Community Sports Grants Programme 2026
Sandwell Council is inviting applications to the Community Sports Grants Programme, supporting local voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations to deliver sport and physical activity projects that improve health, wellbeing, inclusion and community connections across the borough.
How Much Can You Apply For?
- Standard Grants: £500 to £5,000
- Enhanced Grants: £5,001 to £10,000 (for larger, innovative or collaborative projects that can demonstrate additional community benefit and impact)
Who Can Apply?
We welcome applications from:
- Community groups
- Sports clubs
- Voluntary organisations
- Faith organisations
- Charities
- Community Interest Companies (CICs)
- Other not-for-profit organisations delivering activities that benefit Sandwell residents
Grassroots organisations and first-time applicants are particularly encouraged to apply.
What Will the Programme Support?
Funding is available for projects that help to:
- Create new opportunities for residents to take part in sport and physical activity.
- Support people to progress from healthy lifestyle activities into regular sporting participation.
- Increase volunteering opportunities within sport and physical activity.
- Develop volunteer coaches, leaders and officials.
- Improve physical and mental wellbeing.
- Reduce barriers to participation.
- Strengthen community cohesion and local connections.
- Increase participation amongst under-represented communities.
- Make greater use of parks, green spaces, community venues and sports facilities across Sandwell.
What Are We Looking For?
Strong applications will demonstrate:
- A clear community need.
- Clear benefits for Sandwell residents.
- Increased opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity.
- Realistic and achievable delivery plans.
- Good value for money.
- Community involvement and engagement.
- Lasting benefits for participants, organisations or communities where possible.
- Contribution towards Sandwell Council's strategic priorities.
Delivery Period
Projects should normally begin shortly after approval and be fully delivered within 12 months of the grant award date.
Need Support Before Applying?
If you are unsure about eligibility, required documents or developing your project idea, support is available. Email us at: admin_vsgt@sandwell.gov.uk
Application Deadline - Friday 2 October 2026
Contact us: admin_vsgt@sandwell.gov.uk
Link to Guidance for Applicants
Before applying, please ensure you have read the Guidance for Applicants and reviewed the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section within the Guidance.
Four Microgrants Funding Opportunity - Community Voices and Cohesion Programme
Sandwell Council, on behalf of the Safer Sandwell Partnership, is offering four microgrants of up to £975 to local Faith, Voluntary and Community Sector (FVCS) organisations to deliver activities that bring people together and strengthen community cohesion across Sandwell.
The programme aims to support projects that encourage residents from different backgrounds to connect, build relationships and celebrate diversity within their communities.
Examples of activities that could be funded include community conversations and discussion events, interfaith and intercultural engagement activities, shared community events, meals and celebrations, intergenerational activities, arts, cultural and storytelling projects, community exhibitions or performances, youth-led engagement projects, and community media or digital storytelling initiatives.
Applications from organisations working within West Bromwich, Oldbury, Smethwick and Rowley Regis are particularly welcomed. Applications that demonstrate partnership working or collaboration between organisations are also encouraged.
Projects must clearly demonstrate how they will bring together people from different backgrounds and contribute to community cohesion.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for funding, organisations must:
- Be a non-profit organisation.
- Have a governing document, constitution or set of rules.
- Be based in Sandwell or deliver activity within Sandwell.
- Have an organisational bank account.
- Ensure that staff or volunteers delivering the project have a recent Enhanced DBS check where required.
- Be able to deliver activities between October 2026 and March 2027.
- Agree to provide the required monitoring information.
- Hold appropriate public liability insurance, or obtain it before delivery begins.
- Be committed to delivering activities that are inclusive and accessible to all participants.
Organisations that are unable to confirm all of the above eligibility criteria will not be considered for funding.
Key Information
Grant amount: Up to £975
Number of grants available: Four
Project delivery period: October 2026 to March 2027
Closing date: 3.00pm on Wednesday 23 September 2026
Complete the Expression of Interest Form
Completed application forms, along with any enquiries regarding the programme, should be submitted by email to:
community_safetyteam@sandwell.gov.uk
Applications must be received by 3.00pm on Wednesday 23 September 2026.
Smethwick Pride in Place Funding
Pride in Place is a government-funded programme designed to support communities to improve their neighbourhood's area and strengthen local pride. It focuses on:
- Creating thriving places
- Building stronger neighbourhoods
- Giving communities more control over local decisions
Smethwick has been selected as one of 284 places across the UK to receive up to £20 million over 10 years.
This long-term funding is a real opportunity for change but more importantly, it puts power where it belongs - in our hands as a community. This programme is designed to ensure that we, the people who live and work in Smethwick, lead the way in setting priorities and shaping projects for our townnformaton on how to apply can be found here
Click here for further Information on how to apply.