New Local Community Skills Fund to empower UK communities through skills and training

by Jan 16, 2025Funding, Local Community Skills Fund, News, News & events, Responsible Business

Grants of up to £10,000 available for UK Charities, Social Enterprises and Training Providers.

City & Guilds Foundation has launched a pilot scheme to help fund initiatives designed to boost employment, skills and development in communities across the UK.

As part of the Foundation’s drive to support innovative local projects, the Local Community Skills Fund aims to boost community-led initiatives which may not be eligible for funding from traditional sources.

The Fund will tackle skills gaps at a hyper-local level and aims to positively impact communities where access to training and development are limited, and improve opportunities in areas facing acute deprivation.

The new Local Community Skills Fund complements established City & Guilds grant giving schemes, including dedicated funding streams for frontline charities supporting individuals with convictions and displaced people to gain skills and find meaningful employment, together with a longstanding bursary scheme to help disadvantaged individuals gain the skills society needs.

City & Guilds’ latest Impact Report revealed that £15.3 billion in social and economic returns was contributed to society in the UK via access to skills through its courses in the period 2023-24.

Dick Palmer, Chair of City & Guilds Foundation, said:

“The Local Community Skills Fund is a vital step in addressing the unique challenges that our local communities face. By fostering innovative, locally-led solutions that create pathways to employment, we hope to help more people throughout the UK access the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.”

Faiza Khan MBE, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs & Foundation, City & Guilds, said:

“At City & Guilds, we know that skills change lives and communities. With regional differences in access to skills and development in the UK continuing to negatively impact upon living standards and prospects, the Local Community Skills Fund aims to provide access to small sums that can together create big change in communities throughout the UK. So often, it’s the access to an opportunity to kick-start an idea, or career, that can make all the difference to future chances; I am confident that this fund will provide those opportunities.”

Grants up to the value of £10,000 are available for projects which support people aged 16+ who are facing barriers, and support the development of skills required to move towards or into employment.

The Local Community Skills Fund invites Expressions of Interest and applications from UK-based Registered Charities, Social Enterprises, Colleges and Further Education providers, and individuals / community groups supported by eligible organisations.

The Fund will open for applications on 16th January and due to exceptional demand they will close on Sunday 09 February 2025.

To register your interest, or for more details on grant eligibility, criteria, or further information about the programme, see cityandguildsfoundation.org/local-community-skills-fund

Want to be kept up to date?

Sign up to City & Guilds Foundation email alerts and newsletter

Previous posts

Celebrating the achievements of young people with Positive Youth Foundation

It was an absolute honour last week to address the graduating cohort from Positive Youth Foundation - a day brimming with celebration, inspiration, and pride. For those not familiar, Positive Youth Foundation (PYF) supports newly arrived young people to the UK, aged...

Foundation & Friends Podcast: Exploring Innovative Training Solutions with HX Expeditions

In this episode, we dive into the world of HX Expeditions and their award-winning training programme for expedition guides working in polar bear territories. Jim Mayer, Expedition Team Training Manager, shares insights into how their training has evolved to ensure...

Funding for makers: Applications for QEST (Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust) Grants open until 10 Feb

Sustaining vital skills in traditional and contemporary crafts QEST offers three grants to support makers and conservators at various career stages. Grants are available for education and training, with Scholarships of up to £18,000, Emerging Maker grants of up to...

Changing Lives, Changing Industries: HMP Highpoint’s groundbreaking rail training

Around two weeks ago, we had the privilege of attending HMP Highpoint to see the opening of the first ever rail centre of excellence in prison, which back in 2022 we provided funding for installation of a rail track so that industry-standard training could be...

Royal recognition for employers who invest in training and development in the UK and Ireland

On Thursday 21 November, 52 recipients from the UK and Ireland were recognised by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal through the Princess Royal Training Awards held at Goldsmiths’ Hall in London. Over the past nine years, The Princess Royal Training Awards, delivered by the City & Guilds Foundation, have recognised and celebrated organisations that deliver exceptional and impactful learning and development programmes.

Membership Awards Class of 2024: Championing Impact, Recognising Talent

City & Guilds is proud to announce the first recipients of the Membership Awards, a programme designed to celebrate and recognise exceptional tutors and trainers who are making a significant impact on individuals and organisations. City & Guilds is committed...

Launching City & Guilds Impact Report 2024!

For over 145 years, City & Guilds has been committed to making a meaningful impact on society by delivering high-quality skills training that meets the demands of the times. At the heart of this mission is helping individuals gain the competencies they need to...

Foundation Autumn Newsletter 2024: Advocating for those who need it most

Welcome to the latest edition of our quarterly newsletter which is packed with information, bringing to life the difference we’re making to help people access skills, celebrate skills and advocate for those who need it most.

Inspiration and innovation at HMP Pentonville with XO Bikes

Since we created the City & Guilds Foundation in 2019, one of our key funding activities has been identifying and activating practical ways to support those who have been in Prison (or at risk of entering Prison) to build skills and secure, and sustain,...

How Catch22 is supporting individuals into entry-level green sector roles

We know that the cost of training can be a huge obstacle to accessing the skills needed to get into work. This makes it even more challenging to those already facing barriers in society. That’s why over 20 years ago we established our bursary programme: to support...

Podcast episodes

Foundation & Friends Podcast (2024-)

​Green Skills Podcast in collaboration with Green Edge (2024-)

Hosted by Dr. Michael Cross and Fraser Harper, this podcast series explores the critical transition towards a sustainable planet and the pivotal role of green skills in shaping the economy.

Listen now

City & Guilds Foundation Podcast (2021-22)

Share This