Apply for DPS Social Commitment Programme: Activate Accelerator (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 16-Nov-2026

The DPS Social Commitment Programme: Activate is offering accelerator learning and grant funding to early-stage organisations in England and Wales working to tackle the causes and consequences of homelessness. Delivered by the School for Social Entrepreneurs in partnership with The Deposit Protection Service, the programme is designed to help social enterprises and charities develop resilient business models, strengthen their organisations, and increase their impact on housing insecurity. Selected participants receive a nine-month specialist accelerator learning programme, one-to-one support, peer and expert networking, and grant funding of up to £7,000.

About the DPS Social Commitment Programme: Activate

The DPS Social Commitment Programme: Activate supports early-stage organisations addressing homelessness and housing insecurity.

The programme aims to help organisations:

- Develop resilient business models. - Generate income. - Innovate and develop new approaches. - Adapt to changing environments. - Build strong professional networks. - Strengthen their ability to grow and increase their impact. The programme is intended for organisations that already have some activity in place and have plans to grow. Who Delivers the Programme? The programme is delivered by the School for Social Entrepreneurs in partnership with The Deposit Protection Service. The partnership brings together accelerator learning and grant support to help early-stage organisations working on homelessness and housing insecurity develop their capacity and impact. Accelerator Learning Programme

Participants take part in a specialist accelerator learning programme lasting nine months

The programme includes:

- 12 learning sessions. - One-to-one support. - A market making event. - Opportunities to connect with peers. - Access to sector experts. The learning programme is designed specifically to help organisations address practical challenges associated with developing and growing their work. What Will Participants Learn? The curriculum is tailored to support organisations as they develop sustainable and adaptable approaches to their work.

Key areas include:

- Income generation. - Innovation. - Organisational adaptation. - Business model development. - Network building. - Learning from peers and sector experts. The programme seeks to help organisations become more resilient while increasing their ability to respond to housing insecurity. Grant Funding of Up to £7,000

Participants can receive grant funding of up to £7,000

The funding supports learning and the development of social enterprises or charities tackling housing insecurity. The grant can be used flexibly to help organisations advance their mission and support organisational growth. Who Can Apply? The programme is open to early-stage organisations based in England or Wales.

Applicants must:

- Be based in England or Wales. - Have a majority of beneficiaries in England or Wales. - Be an early-stage organisation. - Have some activity already in place. - Have a plan to grow. - Be working to tackle the causes or consequences of homelessness or housing insecurity. Organisations Particularly Welcomed The programme particularly welcomes organisations led by and for communities that have historically experienced disadvantage or exclusion. This includes organisations led by and for: - Black and racially minoritised communities. - Deaf and disabled people. - Women. - LGBTQ+ communities. - People and communities in economically disadvantaged areas. This focus aims to encourage a diverse range of organisations working to address housing insecurity. Focus on Homelessness and Housing Insecurity The programme is specifically intended for organisations tackling the causes and consequences of homelessness. Participants may use the accelerator learning and grant funding to strengthen their ability to respond to housing insecurity and develop sustainable approaches to their work. The programme combines organisational development with flexible financial support so early-stage organisations can build their capacity and increase their impact. Support Available Through the Programme Selected organisations receive a combination of learning, financial, and networking support.

The programme provides:

- Up to £7,000 in grant funding. - A nine-month accelerator learning programme. - 12 learning sessions. - One-to-one support. - A market making event. - Peer networking opportunities. - Access to sector experts. - Support for income generation and organisational development. How the Programme Can Help Early-Stage Organisations Early-stage social enterprises and charities can face challenges when developing sustainable business models and preparing for growth.

The DPS Social Commitment Programme: Activate is designed to help organisations address these challenges by combining specialist learning with flexible funding.

Participants can use the opportunity to develop their organisational models, strengthen networks, explore income generation, and build their capacity to expand their work addressing homelessness and housing insecurity. Key Facts About the DPS Social Commitment Programme: Activate

- Programme: DPS Social Commitment Programme: Activate

- Delivered by: School for Social Entrepreneurs

- Partner: The Deposit Protection Service

- Location: England and Wales

- Target applicants: Early-stage organisations

- Focus: Causes and consequences of homelessness and housing insecurity

- Maximum grant: Up to £7,000

- Programme duration: Nine months

- Learning sessions: 12

- Additional support: One-to-one support and market making event

- Beneficiary requirement: Majority of beneficiaries must be in England or Wales

- Organisation stage: Some activity must already be in place

- Growth requirement: Applicants must have a plan to grow

- Priority organisations: Organisations led by and for Black and racially minoritised communities, deaf and disabled people, women, LGBTQ+ communitie