Our application portal will be closed for essential upgrades from 24th March until 28th April
During this time you will not be able to start or submit an application. Any applications that have not been submitted by 11.59pm on 24th March will be lost. You can start a new application when the portal reopens.
Award Programme
Open
Access to Employment
Supported by
Our work on Access to Employment is responding to a growing movement of social entrepreneurs addressing the challenges faced by individuals who experience systemic barriers to employment such as disabled people, refugees, care leavers, ex-offenders and single parents. In innovative ways, social entrepreneurs are providing quality supportive jobs, training opportunities, or challenging different sectors to transform. We have a team of support managers with sector-specific expertise able to support social entrepreneurs to find sustainable revenue streams to scale up their social venture.
Eligibility
To be considered for the Access to Employment programme you must be:
Funding
Tailored grants
Our grants are designed around you, helping you to meet your unique goals.
-
Incorporated
Not yet or less than 4 years
-
Selling goods and services
Less than 1 year
-
Incorporated
Less than 4 years
-
Selling goods and services
1 to 4 years
Starting Up
Up to £8,000
You are committed to creating social impact in a financially sustainable way. You are at an early stage or have started to make a difference to people's lives, communities, or the planet.
For social venture costs
Social venture eligibility
Scaling Up
Up to £18,000
You are the founder of a financially sustainable social venture that is making a positive difference to people’s lives, communities, or the planet. You have evidence of your social impact and ambitions to build on it.
For social venture costs
For social entrepreneur living costs
Social venture eligibility
Support
Tailored services
Our support is personalised, ensuring you get practical help to overcome your specific challenges and to grow efficiently.
- Support manager
- This person will guide you through your support, offering one to one coaching throughout your award period. We have dedicated teams and specialist support available to help you to identify & work towards your support goals to help you & your venture flourish.
- Upskill with your peers
- You'll have access to a regular and varied calendar of workshops from expert facilitators and we'll help you to develop and deepen your knowledge and understanding by connecting you to fellow Award Winners.
- Expert advice and guidance
- We have a large network of supportive business professionals, corporate partners and alumni who will generously offer you the expert advice and mentoring you need to develop as a social entrepreneur.
- Legal adviser consultancy
- Our legal partners can offer professional consultation on a variety of topics; from determining the best legal structure for you, to discussing your intellectual property and assisting with leases and contracts.
- Monthly online meetings
- Each month we bring together social entrepreneurs with one another to share learning, connect and for mutual support.
- Sector specific expertise
- Our teams are specialists in social venture support and bring a wealth of knowledge to support you on your journey.
Other programmes
Support manager
Upskill with your peers
Expert advice and guidance
Legal adviser consultancy
Programme eligibility
-
Stage
Have an idea or have been operating for less than 4 years
-
Aged
16 years old or older
-
Located in
United Kingdom
-
Focus
Any sector
Funding Futures Programme
Support manager
Upskill with your peers
Expert advice and guidance
Legal adviser consultancy
Financial literacy resources
Peer-to-Peer Learning
Programme eligibility
-
Stage
Have an idea or have been operating for less than 4 years
-
Aged
16 to 30 years old
-
Located in
United Kingdom
-
Focus
Financial inclusion sector
Healthy Ageing
Support manager
Upskill with your peers
Expert advice and guidance
Legal adviser consultancy
Monthly online meetings
Sector specific expertise
Programme eligibility
-
Stage
Have an idea or have been operating for less than 4 years
-
Aged
16 years old or older
-
Located in
United Kingdom
-
Focus
Healthy ageing sector
Movement for Change
Support manager
Upskill with your peers
Expert advice and guidance
Legal adviser consultancy
Tailored Workshops
Learning journeys
Learning circles
Subsidised Consultancy
Programme eligibility
-
Stage
Have an idea or have been operating for less than 4 years
-
Aged
16 years old or older
-
Located in
England
-
Focus
Sports and physical activity sectors