Representing a total investment of £15,000, the successful organisations will each receive grants of up to £1,000 to develop or expand initiatives focused on youth engagement, homelessness and support for those in temporary accommodation, and improving safety and security for women and girls.
The programme launches on 21 September and will run through to January 2027, supporting a wide range of community-led projects designed to address local needs and strengthen communities.
The successful projects reflect the diversity and strength of Croydon’s voluntary and community sector, ranging from housing advice and wellbeing support to mentoring, creative programmes, sports activities and community safety initiatives.
Among the recipients is Keep it Moving, which will deliver housing workshops for 100 young care leavers, refugees and asylum seekers, helping them understand the UK housing system and access and sustain social housing.
Amanah Health and Wellbeing will provide safety masterclasses for women from ethnic minority communities, while Bridging Boundaries will deliver self-defence workshops for women and girls. PTP Usemi will run an art therapy programme supporting marginalised women and focusing on physical, emotional and sexual safety.
The largest group of successful projects focus on youth engagement. Activities will include youth safety and bleed-control training, boxing and mentoring, environmental initiatives, practical cooking, storytelling, music, visual arts and creative enterprise opportunities.
Projects will be delivered across Croydon, including South Norwood, Sanderstead and South Croydon. Pop Up Top Up will also host a two-day Creative Enterprise Day for teenage girls at the Creative Enterprise Zone in Centrale Shopping Centre during the October half-term.
In addition to funding, successful organisations will have access to specialist support from URW teams across areas including marketing, finance, legal and health and safety.
The Community Grant Fund forms part of a wider, long-term approach to community investment. Organisations supported through the 2026 programme will also have the opportunity to apply for additional funding of up to £5,000 in 2027 to help grow and scale projects that demonstrate positive impact.
Working alongside CVA, we look forward to seeing the difference these projects make in communities across the borough.
We look forward to working with the funded organisations and URW as these projects move into delivery and begin making a difference in communities across Croydon.
URW and CVA will continue to work together throughout the programme, supporting organisations as they deliver their projects and helping to strengthen the long-term resilience of Croydon’s voluntary and community sector.
