North East Economic Inactivity Trailblazer VCSE Small Grant

The North East Economic Inactivity Trailblazer VCSE Small Grant Programme (the Fund) will provide grants to charities and voluntary groups for new and innovative projects that help residents who are economically inactive and living in Mission Critical Neighbourhoods (see below). Projects will help people to move into work, education, or training by responding to local needs, including through activities that improve health and wellbeing.

All funded activity must be complete by 31 March 2026 and grantees will be expected to attend at least one online session to share learning and insights to inform future programmes and activities. Grantees will also need to collect and share data from their work, including details of residents participating in the programme.

Applications can be submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprise sector organisations that fit our standard eligibility criteria and:

• have an annual turnover of no more than £1.5 million
• are based and working within the region
• demonstrate an understanding of the Mission Critical Neighbourhoods

Grants will support activity that helps residents of Mission Critical Neighbourhoods identified in the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods (ICON) and listed in the full guidance Trailblazer Full Guidance - 20 August 2025

Please contact us if you are unsure or have any questions.

Supporting people in socially and economically deprived areas of North East England - Community Foundation