Essex VVU Community Grant (funding period 1^st July 2027 to 31^st December 2028) Open for applications from 15^th September 2026 to 12noon on 26^th October 2026.

For up to £35,000 funding for work with young people in Essex between 1st July 2027 and 31 December 2028. Projects must commence delivery of work with young people between 1st July 2027 and 30th September 2027, and delivery needs to be for at least 14 months.

This grant is open for applications from local ‘not-for-profit’ voluntary or community clubs or organisations with a registered office base address in (and delivering work in) Essex, Southend and Thurrock only, for the provision of front line support services which have the purpose of supporting children/young people/young adults aged 0-24, by providing activities that reduce young people’s risk of being involved in serious violence.

Projects MUST evidence that they are meeting specific needs as highlighted by young people in the VVU and ECVYS Listening Report 2025-2026 in the AREA they are seeking to deliver the project.  The full Listening Report can be read here: https://ecvys.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/VVU-Report-25-26-3.pdf The report includes an Essex overview followed by a section for each of these 14 areas (Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Castle Point, Chelmsford, Colchester, Epping Forest, Harlow, Maldon, Rochford, Southend, Tendring, Thurrock, Uttlesford).   Applicants can ONLY apply for funding to deliver in 1 of these 14 areas. 

As part of this grant round, there is a requirement that at least 25% of young people accessing any of the provision through Essex VVU Community Grants are those that the evidence tells us are at a heightened risk of experiencing violence in the future (either through ‘risk factors’ individual to them or through their location).  At this stage, applicants are asked to indicate, from experience of current delivery, how the  project/activity could meet this 25% requirement.   For example through supporting young people who have experienced or are experiencing any of the following: disrupted education (e.g. less than 50% school attendance); family/household challenges (e.g. parental substance abuse, significant loss/bereavement); bullying; victim of crime; older sibling known to the police; a significant carer in prison (or who has been in prison).

For more information and to apply please go to:

https://forms.gle/1HzJGMVPxq9dQuocA

If you have any questions about this grant process or wish to discuss your application please contact Beks@ECVYS.org.uk or James.Pearson@essex.gov.uk