The Future Communities Fund is the first round of funding under the Co-op Foundation’s new strategy and this will focus on supporting voluntary organisations that are building communities that 
are:
- Diverse, equitable and inclusive
- Prioritising youth activism, shared power and transparent governance
These are two of the new Foundation’s strategic priorities, informed by their new vision. The fund will offer unrestricted grants of up to £30,000 per year, for up to 5 years.
The broad aim of the programme is to help create a world of diverse and inclusive communities, where the systemic issues of inequity and injustice, especially for young people are addressed. In order to achieve this, the foundation are looking for eligible charitable organisations which:
- Have an annual turnover of £250,000 or less
- Have young people’s voices from all backgrounds and abilities at the core of their delivery
- Advocate for diversity and inclusion in all areas of society
- Actively engage with young people from diverse communities in a meaningful and inclusive way
- Have experience of removing barriers and providing opportunities for young people
- Have experience of delivering meaningful youth social action which supports young people into leadership roles
- Are able to demonstrate they have experience of co-operation/collaboration
The fund opens on 25 November 2022 at 9am and closes on 23 December 2022 at 12pm.
The Co-op Foundation is hosting a webinar on 23 November, 10am-11am to announce its new Future Communities Fund, register on Eventbrite