We recognise that the move from funding frontline service delivery to Neighbourhood and Boroughwide infrastructure is significant and that the impact of the move will place pressures on our long-standing frontline organisations. We want to ensure that the transition period during this programme can both work to create the strong foundations for infrastructure moving forward while ensuring that our front-line services are offered support to become resilient in the long-term.
We have therefore ring-fenced approximately 10-15% of our Main Grants Funding (once the Advice Service allocation is removed), to support some of our existing front-line services through Transition Grants. Eligibility for these grants will be restricted to organisations who have been Main Grants funded throughout the period of the current programme, i.e. April 2022-March 2026. Applicants can bid for funding up to the value of their existing grants, however we encourage applicants to consider requesting less than their current amount to enable us to support more of our grant-funded organisations
Applicants for transition grants will need to:
- Be Lewisham Main Grant-funded between April 2025 and 31 March 2026
- Provide details on the proposed use of the grant and engagement with our borough-wide and Neighbourhood infrastructure
- Be part of the working group of the Stronger Communities Partnership Board and participate the development of the new model and inform the support of front-line organisations to become more resilient
Note that if you are successful in applying for another Main Grant – neighbourhood or borough-wide – then you will not be eligible for a transition grant. If you have applied for another grant in this round, you will be asked to indicate whether you also want to be considered for a transition grant if you are unsuccessful. In this case you must have made an application for a transition grant.
All Main Grant Applicants will need to show:
- Capacity to Deliver: Show that your organisation has the resources, experience, and systems in place to manage the grant and deliver the proposed activities effectively.
- Impact: Describe how your work aligns with the programme’s goals and provide evidence of the positive outcomes it delivers.
- Commitment to Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion: Show how your organisation embeds inclusive practices and actively works to advance equality — including how you engage diverse communities, remove barriers to participation, and reflect the lived experiences of the people you serve.