Applying for Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF)

Community Co-ordination Grant

About the Grant Programme

The Community Co-ordination Grant has been made available through the BANES Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) to strengthen resilience networks within local communities. Investment will be made for activities that connect and enhance the local support landscape.

This grant programme will support more joined-up and visible local support networks that help build financial resilience. This includes strengthening resilience networks within local communities, that in turn boost the financial resilience of individuals within these communities. It will also ensure that there are clear referral pathways between them and crisis support.

Organisations will be able to bid for funding over a one-to-three-year period.

Applicants will need to evidence

• Information about their organisation / partnership / network, and if they are in a partnership or network, who is the lead partner.
• What they intend to use the funding for.
• How much funding and the period of funding required (up to three years).
• How they meet the criteria of the CRF programme in delivering services or projects to improve the financial resilience of residents. This is detailed in the Resilience Services section of the CRF LA guidance.
• Evidence that they can demonstrate their service / project meets at least three or more of the following:
  • Working within a network / partnership
  • Joined up local support services
  • Effective community co-ordination
  • Clear referral pathways between networks and crisis support
  • Sustained investment and leadership

Amount of funding made available

Typically, grants of up to £30,000 per application, per year will be awarded, however we would like to fund a range of projects of different sizes. Applications for funding for the duration of the grant programme are encouraged (i.e. one, two or three years) and applications for one-off grants will also be considered. Funding will be made available for both revenue and capital costs, with a preference for locally based organisations. Applications from partnerships and networks are encouraged to reflect the broader reach and collaborative nature of this work.

Funding will be awarded for projects that will commence from the 1st of September 2026.

Who can apply 

Funding can be allocated to third sector organisations, including voluntary and community organisations, faith groups, social enterprises.

Partnerships and networks are encouraged to apply. A lead partner may apply on behalf of a partnership/network

Priority will be given to organisations that have not already received CRF funding from other streams in this programme to ensure that funding is spread more broadly across local organisations in BANES. If you have already received CRF funding you should discuss your proposal before you apply with Sara Dixon, Locality Manager, email: sara_dixon@bathnes.gov.uk

Who cannot apply 

• Individuals.
• Political groups or activities promoting political beliefs.
• Projects that have already been completed.
• Promotion of any religion, faith, or belief.

Criteria of CRF 

The primary objective of CRF fund is to provide a safety net for those on low incomes who encounter a financial shock. The fund also invests in building local financial resilience to enable individuals and communities to better deal with crises in the long-term, reducing crisis need.  The Council is making this funding available for organisations that meet Outcomes 2 and 3 of the CRF funding:-

Outcome 2: Improving individuals’ financial resilience. By strengthening financial resilience among individuals, Authorities empower citizens to better manage financial shocks and mitigate the occurrence, recurrence and escalation of crises.

Outcome 3: Bolstering the local-level support landscape. A joined-up, visible local support network is key to the CRF’s approach to build financial resilience. This includes strengthening resilience networks within local communities, that in turn boost the financial resilience of individuals within these communities. This coordination enables a suitable range of Resilience Services to exist within a local area and ensures there are clear referral pathways between them and crisis support. Through this effective join-up of local support services, Authorities can expect those seeking crisis support to be appropriately referred to services that build their individual financial resilience.

More details can be found in the CRF guidance.

Projects eligible for funding must:

• Deliver benefit to both individuals needing support and the professionals involved, creating more financially resilient communities.

• Identify opportunities to connect services in a way that meets long-term CRF outcomes, address service gaps or expand existing provision. This may include introducing new services where there are gaps or enhancing existing services to better meet demand. 

Examples of Effective Community Coordination 

Partnerships with other organisations to deliver coordinated support, develop local strategies to address poverty or negotiating favourable terms for people on low incomes (negotiation of social tariffs, discounted bills, debt cancellations or accessing energy-saving grants).

• Partnerships with other organisations to deliver coordinated support, development of local strategies to address poverty, negotiating favourable terms for people on low incomes (negotiation of social tariffs, discounted bills, debt cancellations or accessing energy-saving grants).

• Engaging with families, individuals and older residents at risk of food insecurity by working closely with schools, Family Hubs and community partners, complementing the Best Start in Life programme and Family First, while supporting community food aid projects that promote innovative, sustainable approaches aligned with CRF outcomes. This includes developing resilient local food landscapes through initiatives that integrate or co-locate with Resilience Services—such as advice provision, benefit application support and utility debt assistance—to help people transition from crisis support towards longer-term financial resilience.

• Co-location of services – different services or professional groups being situated in the same physical space or building to provide more integrated and accessible support to individuals. Co-location can occur in areas that are commonly used by communities to enable access for a wide range of groups.

How to apply

The organisations or lead partner must submit, in full, their application via the online application form by 10 July 2026. Further rounds will be open if funding has not already been allocated.

Organisations and partnerships may submit more than one application.

Decisions will be made within 6 weeks of the deadline. Decision will be made by a BANES officer group and published on the Council’s officer decision record.

Applications are now closed for this fund.