Request for Proposals: Common Ground Award Grant 2026 – 27 (UK)

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is offering the Common Ground Award 2026 to 2027, a competed capital grant for Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations in England. The funding supports the cost of constructing or renovating facilities, spaces, and equipment that help organisations bring people from different backgrounds together to build community cohesion and resilience. The deadline for applications is 12 October 2026 (time zone and time not specified in the source). The Common Ground Award was first launched in 2025 to 2026 to invest capital funding into VCSE organisations building social connections across and between different communities. MHCLG is running a second round for 2026 to 2027 to continue supporting capital investment that enables organisations to deliver services bringing people from different backgrounds together. The grant sits within the overarching Common Ground Resilience Fund. It is designed to support VCSE organisations to invest in physical facilities, spaces, and equipment that help strengthen community cohesion and resilience. Organisations are assessed based on how their objectives and activities build social connections across and between different communities. Applicants must have building social connections across and between different communities as a core focus of their work. Successful applicants will also be invited to participate in a community of practice for knowledge sharing across the voluntary and community sector and with government stakeholders. This is a capital funding opportunity. The source does not specify other cost-sharing requirements, ineligible expenditure categories, or additional non-financial benefits beyond the community of practice invitation. To apply, your organisation must be a VCSE organisation with a base and operating in England and charitable, benevolent or philanthropic purposes. The source lists the following as eligible: The source states that the following are not eligible: To be eligible, organisations and consortiums must directly work on at least one of the following core themes (building social connections across and between different communities must be a primary purpose): The source also notes that applicants can work across and between communities from different faiths and beliefs, ethnicities, ages, geographies, cultures, and nationalities, as long as building social connections across and between different communities is a core focus. This grant is specifically aimed at VCSE organisations that strengthen community cohesion and resilience by improving the physical infrastructure that supports social connection. Because the assessment focuses on how objectives and activities build social connections across and between different communities, applicants need to align their capital proposals with one or more of the core themes. The funding model supports both individual organisations and consortium approaches, with higher total funding possible for consortium bids where collaboration is central to delivery. The provided source text includes key dates but does not include the detailed application steps, required documents, or the application submission link. Based on the prospectus information provided: For the official application instructions, submission method, and any required documents, readers should follow the guidance in the prospectus on GOV.UK (link below). What is the Common Ground Award 2026 to 2027? It is a competed capital grant from MHCLG for VCSE organisations in England to support constructing or renovating facilities, spaces, and equipment that enable services bringing people from different backgrounds together to build community cohesion and resilience. Who can apply for this grant? VCSE organisations based and operating in England with charitable, benevolent or philanthropic purposes. Eligible types include charities, charitable incorporated organisations, companies limited by guarantee, community interest companies, community benefit societies, and certain unincorporated groups/associations. What is the funding amount available? The programme has up to £2.5 million available in the 2026 to 2027 financial year. Individual organisations typically receive £20,000 to £50,000, with up to £100,000 possible in exceptional cases. Consortium bids can apply for £100,000 to £250,000 in total. What is the deadline to apply? The deadline for applications is 12 October 2026. The source does not specify the deadline time or time zone. Can we apply as part of a consortium? Yes. Consortium applications are accepted. A consortium is a collaborative partnership of two or more independent organisations that jointly plan, apply for, and deliver a single funded project. If you apply as a consortium, you cannot also submit a separate individual application. What themes must the project address? Projects must directly work on at least one core theme: (1) encouraging/enabling social mixing and understanding, (2) reducing prejudice/discrimination/hatred, or (3) resolving conflict and addressing tensions across and between communities. Where can I find the official application guidance? The official prospectus and GOV.UK guidance are available on the GOV.UK page: Common Ground Award 2026 to 2027: prospectus. The provided source text does not include the full application steps, documents, or submission link. If your organisation is a VCSE body operating in England and your proposal supports building social connections across and between different communities, review the full Common Ground Award 2026 to 2027 prospectus on GOV.UK. Follow the prospectus for the complete application process, including submission method and any required documents, and plan your timeline to meet the 12 October 2026 deadline.