Introduction – overview of the funding
In order to mark the anniversary of the MV Empire Windrush docking in the UK, MHCLG is offering up to £500,000 in grant funding to support a new cohort of impactful and ambitious projects. As of today, HM Government has dedicated £4.25 million in funding toward honouring the Windrush legacy. This includes £3.25 million across six years of the Windrush Day Grant Scheme, and £1 million allocated to the National Windrush Monument, which stands as a fitting tribute to the contributions of the Windrush passengers and their descendants to the UK.
The Windrush Day Grant Scheme 2025 will focus on bringing communities together – across different ages and ethnic backgrounds – to commemorate, celebrate and educate their local area about the contribution of the Windrush generation and their descendants across the United Kingdom.
Who is eligible to apply?
Organisations are eligible to apply if they fit into either of the following groups
- Registered:
- Charity
- Exempt charities
- Community interest companies/Community Interest Organisation
- Social enterprises
- Community benefit societies
- Unregistered community group and you meet all of the following criteria:
- Your groups is established for charitable, benevolent or philanthropic purposes
- You have a governing body (i.e. a trustee board/committee) with at least three members
- You have a governing document which you can produce
- You can provide end of year accounts for your group demonstrating good financial health across both of the last two financial years
- (If you need support with any of this, please the section below on support from RVA).
Applications from outside Greater London and the South East are encouraged so that Windrush Day builds a good profile throughout all regions in England.
What are the funder priorities?
Projects should primarily focus on at least one of the following overarching aims of the scheme:
- To educate people about the Windrush story.
- To foster a greater sense of national pride and recognition of the historic and ongoing contributions made by the Windrush generation and their descendants to UK society.
- To develop the skills and entrepreneurial ambitions of young people.
- To celebrate and commemorate the continued contributions of the Windrush generation to the UK.
In addition, all proposals should have the following aim:
- To be community-led and have a positive social impact. Projects should be developed by, or with, the Windrush generation and their descendants, and organisations should carefully consider how the project will create a positive social impact in their local area, and help to galvanise communities to work together to embrace positive aspects of their shared identity
Project events and activities taking place after 22 June 2025 must demonstrate one or more of the following:
- Clearly demonstrate how a proposal can help build community cohesion between people of different age groups and ethnic backgrounds.
- Have a lasting social impact beyond the funding period.
- Help develop the educational and entrepreneurial skills of young people across this period.
This year, groups are encouraged to set out manageable deliverables in their proposals, will need to ensure that their organisation can keep to their proposed delivery timetable, and that they are able to commit to providing regular updates on their progress, including but not limited to project monitoring, evaluation form and participant feedback forms etc.
How much can organizations apply for?
A budget of £500,000 for 2025 is available to fund events and projects across the country. There are two tiers of funding:
- Tier 1: smaller projects, of a value of between £5000 and £24,999
- Tier 2: larger projects, of a value between £25,000 and £50,000
Please see the Guidance for Applicants for further details
What the funding can be used for
Proposals could be designed to fund activities such as the following illustrative examples:
- Commemorate National Windrush Day – the anniversary of the MV Empire Windrush docking in the UK
- Bring together local partners and communities to create a unique project
- Run a scheme that supports young people to improve their academic, vocational or entrepreneurial skills – and demonstrate how the scheme has made an impact
- Deliver a high-quality artistic performance or series of performances that celebrate the Windrush legacy
- Run novel activities in partnership with local schools, for example, through assemblies, workshops, educational trips and project work
Is there a deadline?
The deadline for applications is 25 November 2024 (23:59).
Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their bids by March 2025.
Find out more/how to apply
The guidance for applicants, frequently asked questions as well as the application form can be found on the Near Neighbours website
Further support
For further support from RVA with preparing your application or your policies and procedures required for this funding, contact Herjeet Vass at herjeet.vass@rva.org.uk