This fund aims to support local organisations to deliver work that creates safe, supportive spaces for girls and women across London.
Funding is for London-based community groups already working with women and girls impacted by gangs, violence, and exploitation, to strengthen both direct support and the evidence base on what works.
Through delivery of group work, development support for grantees, and co-production activities, the fund will generate the following learning and evidence to inform practice, policy, and commissioning:
- Insights on what works in supporting girls and young women.
- Language and definitions that are inclusive, accurate, and informed by the voices of girls and young women.
- Contemporary understanding of girls and young women’s needs beyond the gang member narrative.
Organisations and groups working in London that already support girls and young women affected by gangs, violence, or exploitation, can apply, including:
- Registered UK charities.
- Charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs).
- Companies that are limited by guarantee.
- Not-for-profit community interest companies (CICs).
- Constituted community groups.
- Voluntary sector organisations.
Applicants must have existing relationships and experience engaging with girls and young women who have experienced gangs, violence, and/or exploitation-related harm, but they may or may not have experience delivering group work.
Priority will be given to grassroots and community-led organisations.
Funding is for work that focuses on achieving outcomes across two key priorities:
- Deliver gender-responsive support for girls and young women.
- Build a network of practice among grantees.
Groups funded through this programme will have four main roles:
- To create safe spaces for girls and young women to take part in group sessions, where they can connect with others and offer each other support.
- To involve girls and young women in co-design and co-production activities – helping shape services and build a better understanding of what support should look like.
- To engage with development support and capacity-building, including learning sessions and networking with other grant-funded groups.
- To engage with the Fund’s monitoring and learning activities to learn from the group work.
Group work activities may include, but are not limited to:
- Structured mentoring, counselling, and personal development sessions.
- Trauma-led, trauma-sensitive support.
- Skills development and learning.
- Open access groups based in youth clubs.
- Peer support spaces.
- Music, cooking, sports, nature, craft, art therapy, or other support activities.
- Girls and young women-led peer support activities, campaigns, and/or projects.
- Development of tools, guides, or workshops.