In 2024 Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield and CVA launched a small grants programme for Croydon voluntary sector and community groups. It wants to support our local grassroots organisations (with an income of less than £75,000) delivering:
- Initiatives and activities which tackle youth disenfranchisement by providing opportunities and activities for young people.
- Initiatives which support people experiencing homelessness, people living in temporary accommodation and/or refugees and asylum seekers.
- Initiatives and activities meeting local priorities as defined by Community Plans of Local Community Partnerships.
The funding programme is designed in two steps: an initial award of up to £1,000 followed by the chance to bid again, this time for up to £5,000, later in the year to build on learning and extend the reach of projects.
In 2024/2025 we were able to offer a £1,000 grant to 27 groups, 6 of them were successful in obtaining a further £5,000. In 2025/26 we have started the process by offering up to £1,000 to 18 groups. Projects awarded include carers' cafes, community gardens, family art activities within food bank provision and more!