The Mayor of London has launched a new Civil Society Roots Incubator programme to develop collaborations and/or partnerships led by and for groups who have been disproportionally affected by Covid-19 and the structural drivers of this disproportionate impact.

This includes those collaborations which mobilised in response to Covid-19 and are looking to grow, and organisations who have identified gaps in community response that can be addressed by collaboration and/or partnerships.

Objectives

• Support communities that have been disproportionally affected by Covid-19 and addressing structural inequalities.
• Strengthen the conditions necessary for effective community mobilisation and response.
• Build capacity in community-led infrastructure so that it is prepared for future shocks.
• Support collaborations and/or partnerships that have developed in response to Covid-19 and enable this continued way of working.
• Address cold spots in community response and networks.
• Incubate collaborative projects so that they are prepared and able to apply for future funding opportunities.

The Civil Society Incubator programme will support new or existing collaborations and/or partnerships which have an equity focus and respond to one of the following funding priorities:

• Raising unheard Londoners voices to ensure they can participate more fully in all aspects of community life, lead London’s renewal and bring about change
• Increasing feelings of belonging and/or addressing social isolation and loneliness
• Increasing access to support, services and mutual aid

Funding Information

The Civil Society Roots Incubator programme will offer a capacity building incubator alongside Micro Awards of up to £5,000 and Growth Awards of up to £15,000 for collaborations and/or partnerships.

Eligibility Criteria

• Micro Award: To be eligible to apply for the Micro Award you must meet the following criteria:
  • Collaborations and/or partnerships must be made up of two or more organisations.
  • Any type of organisation can apply, including individuals and un-constituted groups, but must have a fiscal host to receive money on their behalf.
  • The lead partner must be a not-for-profit organisation, such as a:
    • Registered, exempted or excepted charity
    • Charitable incorporated organisation (CIO)
    • Community Interest Company limited by guarantee
    • Charitable company limited by guarantee (that is not also a registered charity)
    • Community benefit society (Industrial and Provident society)
    • Faith group, where the activity is not promoting religion
    • Community Amateur Sports Club
    • Constituted but unincorporated club or association
    • Constituted Tenants and Residents Associations, and Tenant Management Organisations
    • Constituted community group
    • Community Infrastructure Organisations
    • Un-constituted community group
    • Mutual Aid Groups
    • Individual
  • Annual income of under £250,000
• Growth Award: To be eligible to apply for the Growth Award you must meet the following:
  • Collaborations and/or partnerships must be made up of two or more organisations.
  • The lead partner must be a formally constituted group.
  • The lead partner must be a not-for-profit organisation, such as a:
    • Registered, exempted or excepted charity o Charitable incorporated Organisation (CIO)
    • Community Interest Company limited by guarantee
    • Charitable company limited by guarantee (that is not also a registered charity)
    • Community benefit society (Industrial and Provident society)
    • Faith group, where the activity is not promoting religion
    • Community Amateur Sports Club
    • Constituted but unincorporated club or association
    • Constituted Tenants and Residents Associations, and Tenant Management Organisations
    • Constituted community group
    • Community Infrastructure Organisations
    • Social Enterprise
  • Annual income of under £250,000

For more information, visit Mayor of London.