This new funding will provide grants to civil society organisations (CSOs) to deliver politically neutral, place‑based activities that help people understand, engage with, and participate in democracy.
It focuses on groups that are currently less democratically engaged and aims to generate evidence on what works to increase democratic participation, informing future policy and practice.
The objectives of the Fund are to:
- build a robust evidence base on ‘what works’
- prevent or overcome barriers for less engaged groups
- improve democratic participation and engagement.
The fund understands “participation” or “engagement” in democratic activities to mean a citizen taking action, at and between elections, that can influence decisions affecting their lives and the lives of others. That action could include voting, signing an online petition or writing to a newspaper, among many others.
The target demographic to reach is:
- young people (aged 5-25)
- ethnic minority groups
- people who are homeless
- regular movers
- disabled people
- people from low socio economic backgrounds.
Applications are welcomed from civil society organisations with experience of, or demonstrable capacity to deliver, community based, politically neutral projects in England, including:
- Charities
- Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs)
- Community Interest Companies (CICs)
- Companies Limited by Guarantee
- Community Benefit Societies / Co‑operatives
- Other Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations.
Partnership and consortium bids are welcome.
Application can be made for up to £50,000 per project. Most projects will receive around £25,000.
A broad range of activities and costs associated with running projects can be funded.
The application period is open from 22 June to 31 August 2026.
Awards will be made in January 2027.
Project delivery may begin from March 2027.
Projects are encouraged to be completed by October 2027, with data collection to be completed by December 2027.
Richmond Council’s Community Engagement team is happy to offer support with applications to organisations in Richmond upon Thames. If you have any questions about the fund or about applying, please email Tom.Wingfield@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk.
For full details, view the Democratic Engagement Fund Prospectus here.
