The RBS Skills and Opportunities Fund is open again with a new round of funding.
What is available?
Grants of up to £35,000 (or up to 20% of the applicant’s previous year’s turnover) are available to help people in disadvantaged communities develop, create or access the skills and opportunities they need to help themselves get into work, education or start a business.
The majority of the grant needs to be spent on project running costs, although you can apply for up to 25% of the total grant to cover capital costs. Large capital costs are not eligible, e.g. buildings, land purchase, refurbishments, large items of equipment. Small items of capital equipment are allowed if they are used within the delivery of the project.
Previous winners include Skills to Shine, a social enterprise based in the North East of England, which used the grant to set up and buy resources for eight enterprise challenges in youth settings across North Tyneside. Tudor Grange Academy Worcester received a grant to deliver a programme of hands-on rural enterprise training for vulnerable pupils identified as potential NEETs.
Which organisations can apply?
- Schools
- Colleges
- Registered charities
- Community groups
- Social enterprises, including community interest companies.
Full eligibility criteria can be found on the RBS Skills and Opportunities Fund website. Please read these carefully before applying.
How do I apply?
Each region has its own priorities so before you apply you will need to check these priorities to check that your project idea complies with the requirements.
There is an online application form to complete.
The deadline for applications is noon on 9th September 2016.
Full details are available on the RBS Skills and Opportunities Fund website.
