BBC Children in Need: COVID-19 Next Steps Grant
Overview
These grants are designed to fund sustained responses to the COVID-19 situation. These projects can last up to 18 months and begin in September 2020. The fund will help organisations with more complex service adaption, including additional staffing requirements. It is designed to be as flexible as possible, covering a wide range of activities.
They will prioritise applications from organisations that:
- Target children and young people disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (see below). They recognise that the current crisis increases pre-existing inequalities.
- Have mission statements, objects, or aims which focus on supporting and empowering a particular group or community experiencing disadvantage.
- Respond confidently in a local area and are best placed to do so. They want to fund organisations that have the reach and trust of the communities/communities of interest they serve.
- Can prove a track record of engaging disadvantaged children and young people over the last two years.
What can you apply for?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they have temporarily broadened the types of applications they will accept. They encourage applications for:
- Project delivery
- Creative solutions to deliver much needed services
- Organisational stability and support.
All applications will have to show how this funding will make a difference to children and young people’s lives during this crisis.
How much can I apply for?
Eligible organisations will be able to apply for up to £80,000, however, they expect most awards to be less than this and proportional to the size and capacity of the organisation. Please only ask for what you need to support children and young people at this time.
BBC Children in Need targets children and young people aged 0-18 years impacted by disadvantage including illness; distress; abuse or neglect; any kind of disability; behavioural or psychological difficulties; or living in poverty or situations of deprivation.
Through their research team, they have identified particular cohorts of children and young people particularly impacted by the coronavirus crisis. These include:
- Children and young people affected by poor mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Disabled children and young people
- Children and young people affected by domestic abuse
- Children and young people affected by bereavement
- Young carers
- Children and young people with life-limiting or life- threatening conditions
- Children and young people in and on the edge of care
- Children at risk of personal harm, e.g., neglect, abuse
- Children and young people at risk or affected by child sexual exploitation
- Children and young people at risk or affected by child criminal exploitation e.g. County Lines
- Refugee and asylum seekers
- Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Groups (BAME)
- Children and young people affected by issues related to parental support and capacity
- Young people Leaving Care
- Children and young people who identify as LGBTQ+
- Children and households impacted by poverty and immediate crises including homelessness.
Please note: Subject to a successful Minimum Standards check, applicants will be asked to discuss and review their proposal with a BBC Children in Need assessor. Applicants must be available between 13th and 31st July for this assessment. As they want funding to reach children and young people as soon as possible, we cannot extend this assessment period.