New government capital funding for voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations which bring people together from different backgrounds is opening to support the cost of constructing or renovating facilities, or the purchasing of equipment to deliver services.

VCSE organisations in England will be able to apply to this new £1.7 million government fund aimed at strengthening community cohesion and resilience.

Grants of up to £10,000 will be available, with higher awards offered in exceptional cases.

The Common Ground Award aims to:

• identify and reward good practice in building bridging social capital
• invest in the physical spaces and equipment that enables good practice
• build a community of practice, for knowledge sharing across the voluntary and community sector and with government.

In addition to funding, successful applicants will join a wider community of practice, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and long-term social resilience.

The fund will open to applications on the 13 October 2025 and close on 21 November 2025.

Organisations notified of application outcome and funding awarded to successful applicants in January 2026.

Find more details at the Common Ground Award webpage here.