New programme, Force for Change, launches to support Forces communities

July 27, 2020

The Trust is pleased to announce the launch of a new programme awarding grants of up to £20,000 for local projects that support Armed Forces communities.

This year, the Armed Forces Covenant Fund: Force for Change programme will support local Armed Forces communities as they address the needs that have arisen as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

This new programme will also support volunteer-run projects, benefiting Armed Forces communities, that need some additional help.

A Force for Change in Armed Forces communities

In early 2020, the Trust ran an open consultation to explore how we should make small grants locally. The feedback from this told us that we should continue to fund grants of up to £20,000, as we had done under an earlier programme.

Mental health, veterans being at higher risk of isolation and support for Armed Forces families were the top three issues that emerged from the responses we received.

You’ll need to show us:

  • why your project is needed and that it won’t duplicate other work
  • how your project will help people from the Armed Forces community become less isolated and more active in their local communities
  • how the idea for your project has been shaped by the people it will benefit.

We can consider projects that support serving personnel, veterans and Armed Forces families.

Supporting those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic

Carol Stone, Director of Grants at the Trust said

“We are particularly keen with this year’s programme to provide additional support to Armed Forces communities that have been affected by Covid-19. This might be veterans who are isolated, or Armed Forces families that may be having a challenging time. We are looking for projects that respond locally to challenges within communities, and will support small projects that we have helped through the Covid programmes that we ran earlier this year, if there is still a need for your work”

Find out more

Find out more about the Force for Change programme on our programme pages. Applications are not yet open, but in the meantime we’ve everything you need to begin planning your project.