Communities and safety

Inclusive Voices grants for the co-design of our voluntary sector strategy

Liverpool City Council is offering grants of up to £4,000 to successful organisations who can help us create a new strategy for how we and the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector (VCFSE) support each other.

Applications open: Monday 8th September 2025
Applications close: Sunday 5th October 2025

Who can apply?

You must be a VCFSE sector organisation based in Liverpool to apply. We are looking for groups often left out of decisions that affect them.

Your organisation must also have at least one of the identities set out in the table below.

Organisation identity Description
Anti-poverty and economic justice organisation Groups that fight poverty and unfair treatment.
Care experienced organisation Groups led by or working with people with lived experience of being in care, to support and provide services for them.
Children and youth-led organisation
 Groups led by children and young people, or that work with them to help shape decisions.
Criminal justice-affected organisation Groups that support people who have been in prison, on probation, or affected by the justice system.
Disabled peoples’ organisation Groups that focus on the rights and inclusion of disabled people.
Faith-based organisation Faith-based groups that offer services based on their values.
Grassroots community organisation Small, local groups that support people in their own neighbourhoods with everyday needs.
Homelessness organisation Groups that help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
LGBTQ+ organisation Groups that support and speak up for people who identify as LGBTQ+ (including intersex, asexual, non-binary, pansexual, and others).
Migrant and refugee organisation Groups that help migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers settle into new communities and access services.
Racially minoritised organisation Groups led by or supporting people who face racism or racial discrimination.
Women and girls’ organisation Groups led by women that work for gender equality and support the rights and wellbeing of women and girls.

You must also be able to answer YES to the following questions:

  • Are you a VCFSE sector organisation?
  • Is your organisation based in Liverpool?
  • Do you have all the policies and procedures you require to function legally and safely?
  • Do staff/volunteers working with children or vulnerable adults have enhanced DBS checks?
  • Do you have all necessary insurances?
  • Do you have a current governing document?
  • Do you have a business bank account in your organisation's name?

And NO to:

  • Will you use this grant to support political parties?
  • Will you use this grant to promote or practise religion?

Who cannot apply?

You cannot apply if you are one of the following, even if you are also a registered charity:

  • School
  • University
  • College
  • Public sector organisation
  • Company limited by shares (CLS)
  • Trade union
  • Political party
  • Statutory body
  • Housing association

How to apply

You can choose on of the following ways to apply:

  • Fill in the online application form below.
  • Send a video or audio recording to VCFSEStrategy@liverpool.gov.uk
  • Have an interview in person, online, or by phone.
  • Use another way that works for you.

If you would like an interview, or want to talk about how to apply, email VCFSEStrategy@liverpool.gov.uk. 

Apply online for an Inclusive Voice grant now 

Support with your application

If applying is harder because of access needs, you can ask for up to £250. This could help with:

  • a scribe
  • BSL interpreter
  • translator
  • screenreader
  • extra staff time

If you would like an access payment, email: VCFSEStrategy@liverpool.gov.uk. Please include the following details in your email:

  • organisation name
  • the issue you need help with
  • your organisation's bank details
  • what the payment will be used for
  • how much you need (up to £250)
  • whether you need an extension whilst you wait for the access payment

What happens next?

At least two different members of the strategy working group will assess each application.

Assessors will then meet to decide which ones should receive funding.

They will use the scores to help make these choices, along with other things like making sure the funding is spread fairly across different types of organisations.  

They will also check if they need any extra details from applicants that they plan to offer funding to.

Please note: the examples above are not the only things that may be considered. The council can consider any information it believes is important when deciding who gets a grant. Decisions will be announced on Friday 17th October 2025. The first meeting will be held during the week commencing Monday 3rd November 2025.

Payment and monitoring

If your application is successful:

  • You will get an offer email with terms and conditions
  • Once you accept, payment will be made in full
  • You do not need to submit monitoring

If your organisation does not take part in the strategy work, the council may ask for the funding to be paid back, even if you have spent it.

Other ways to be involved

This grant programme is to support groups that work with or are led by people from underrepresented communities. These groups often face more barriers, so we want to make sure they have fair access to funding and support.

This does not mean other organisations will not be able to have their say on the strategy.
All organisations will be welcome to take part. We believe that working together will make the strategy stronger for everyone.

If you would like to register to take part in the development of the strategy, please complete the form below.

Get in touch if you like to be involved 

Further information

For further information about these grants, please email VCFSEStrategy@liverpool.gov.uk.