Derby Together Fund

The Derby Together Fund supports Derby’s ambition to be a vibrant city with culture and diversity at its heart, nurturing local pride and a strong sense of belonging.

The fund backs community-led activities and larger cultural events that, celebrate Derby’s diverse communities, bring people from different backgrounds together and create a cultural offer that truly reflects our city.

Funding

There are two strands of funding available:

• up to £2,500 for local community activities such as workshops, training, sports, craft activities and cultural celebrations
• up to £5,000 for larger-scale cultural festivals and events with an expected audience of over 499 people.

In exceptional circumstances, we may consider funding at a higher level.

Projects

We are particularly interested in projects that strengthen community connections, encourage use of our city centre and local spaces, improve cohesion and understanding between communities, increase participation in volunteering and cultural, sporting or community activities, and help people feel safer and proud of where they live.

Aims of the fund

We are looking for projects which align to two or more of the following aims.

• Strengthening community connections by supporting community led activities and events that bring people from different backgrounds together. 
• Delivering high-quality cultural experiences, festivals and events that celebrate the diverse cultures of Derby’s communities. 
• Contributing to the vibrancy of Derby by encouraging people to visit and make use of the city centre, local community spaces, parks and high streets. 
• Improving community cohesion and reduce division by supporting activities that build understanding, respect and positive relationships between people. 
• Supporting activities that help people feel safer, more confident and improves pride in their local area. 
• Increasing participation in volunteering and in local cultural, heritage, sporting and community activities. 
• Providing positive, constructive activities that may help reduce antisocial behaviour by increasing engagement, especially among young people. 

Submission date 

The deadline for applications is 31 March 2027. However, once available funding is fully allocated the grant fund will be closed. You should therefore check availability of funds before completing your application to avoid disappointment. 

Please note all projects are to be fully delivered by March 2028.