Before you apply

  1. What the grant can be used for

    Information on what the grant can be used for.

  2. Grant terms

    The terms of the City Living, Local Life grant.

  3. Before you apply

    Things you need to do before applying for the City Living, Local Life grant.

  4. Apply now

    Guidance on how to complete the City Living, Local Life application form and how we make decisions.

  5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Frequently asked questions we receive about the City Living, Local Life grant.

Overview of the application process

  1. Read and follow the 'Before you apply' guidance (below).
  2. Read the application form questions on the 'Apply now' webpage, gather your supporting documents and apply online.
  3. Wait to be contacted by a council officer who will support you through the due diligence process.
  4. The council officer will send your application to councillors, who will decide if your proposal is successful.
  5. The council officer will contact you with the outcome of your application.

Before you apply

  1. Read and understand the eligibility criteria. 
  2. Read and understand the City Living, Local Life grant terms. 
  3. Email the VCS Partnerships team to schedule a telephone call to discuss your application with a council officer. 
  4. Contact all ward councillors in your chosen ward(s) and tell them about your proposed City Living, Local Life application. Find details about your local councillors.
  5. Consider where your project will be held. The venue and ward for your proposal should be known before submitting your application form. 
  6. Consider how your project meets one of the following City Living, Local Life aims: 
    1. Enhance the understanding of local areas (including local history, local people, the area itself in terms of geography and places within it).
    2. Build stronger connections and relationships between local people. 
    3. Help to identify, assess and prioritise improvements in local areas. 
    4. Devise practical solutions that involve local people, to address local issues. 
    5. Work with local people and organisations to deliver solutions.  
  7. Consider who your target audience is and how you will reach them. 
  8. Consider leaving up to 12 weeks for the processing of an application.
  9. Consider how long your projects and events will take to complete. These should have a clear start and end date. 
  10. Consider what permissions, documents, policies and procedures will you need to have in place. Ideally, these should be in place ahead of applying for City Living, Local Life.
  11. Consider what specific costs you want the City Living, Local Life grant to cover.
  12. If applicable, which council teams and local organisations will you be working with, and what advice have they given you?
  13. If applicable, how will your project be funded post-City Living, Local Life grant? This grant is not designed to cover core costs/ongoing running costs.
  14. Some applications are successful but only part funded. Consider how this might impact your proposal ahead of applying. For example, are you seeking funding elsewhere? 

Get advice and guidance

Seek specialist advice and guidance from relevant council teams before applying to City Living, Local Life.

Last updated: 2 April 2024