Essex VVU Community Grant Launch 2027/28

Community groups, charities and not for profit organisations across Essex are being invited to apply for funding of up to £35,000 to deliver projects that help young people stay safe, feel supported and thrive in their local communities.

The Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit (VVU) has opened applications for its 2027/28 Community Grant Programme, with successful projects beginning delivery from July 2027.

The funding programme has been shaped by the voices of young people through the seventh Essex VVU and ECVYS Listening Project, which highlighted the critical role that safe spaces, trusted adults and positive activities play in helping young people feel safe and supported.

Although asking questions about safety and youth violence, the latest feedback from young people across Essex paints a positive picture of safety and resilience:

• 85.3% of young people say they feel safe in Essex when out with their friends, a significant increase from 65% last year.
• 91% have not been a victim of violent crime.
• 79.5% are not worried about being exploited by a gang.

Young people also shared what helps them feel safe when they are out and about. Common themes included:

• Being with friends.
• Staying in well-lit areas.
• Using mobile phones as torches.
• Access to GPS and location tracking technology.

However, alongside these practical measures, young people consistently highlighted the importance of having trusted adults to turn to and safe places where they feel welcomed, supported and understood.

The Essex VVU Community Grant Programme is designed to fund local projects that provide exactly these opportunities, ensuring young people can access support in the places where they live.

Roger Hirst, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex and Chair of the Violence and Vulnerability Partnership, said: “The Listening Project is an effective way to understand the views of young people when it comes to feeling safe in their local neighbourhood and wider community – there should be no no-go areas in our county. It is an opportunity to understand their perceptions about crime, so that grant funding can be targeted to support local projects where it is needed the most. Whilst it is encouraging that more young people report feeling safe in our county, the findings also reinforce the importance of trusted adults, positive relationships and safe spaces.”

“The Essex VVU Community Grant Programme is about investing in organisations that understand their communities and can respond quickly to provide the right support, at the right time. This grant programme backs youth clubs, mentoring programmes, diversionary activities and other community-based interventions. Projects that help build resilience, create opportunities and prevent harm before it occurs.”

“By engaging more young people in local projects at the earliest opportunity, there is every prospect that their concerns about crime can be addressed. It is also important to help guide those tempted by a criminal lifestyle to make more positive choices about their future. Those currently leading projects that can strike the right balance between listening to young people without judgement and offering a catalyst for change should seriously consider putting in an application.”

Projects funded through previous rounds of the programme have supported thousands of young people across Essex, providing positive activities and opportunities to develop confidence and life skills, and reduce serious violence.

The 2027/28 grants will continue to support initiatives that prevent violence, strengthen protective factors around young people and respond directly to local needs identified by communities and young people themselves.

The main criteria for the 27/28 grants include:

• Applications are open from the 14 September. Closing date is 26 October 2026.
• The maximum amount an organisation can apply for is £35,000.
• For delivery 1^st July 2027 to 31^st December 2028 (to deliver across at least 14 of the 18 months).
• Delivery to start no later than 30^th September 2027.
• Organisations can apply for one project / in one area (of the 14 areas of Essex).
• The grant is open for applications from local ‘not-for-profit’ voluntary or community
  clubs or organisations with a registered office based address in, and delivering work in,
  Essex, Southend and Thurrock only.
• Essex VVU is placing a requirement that at least 25% of young people accessing any of the provision through Essex VVU Community Grants are those that the evidence tells us are at heightened risk of experiencing violence (either through ‘risk factors’ individual to them or through their location). For example, through supporting young people who have experienced or are experiencing any of the following: Disrupted education (e.g. less than 50% school attendance); family/household challenges (e.g. parental substance abuse); bullying; victim of crime; older sibling known to the police; a significant carer in prison (or who has been in prison).
• Organisations must evidence how their application responds to the issues young people have identified in VVU & ECVYS Listening Report.

Full terms and conditions, guidance on applying and the application form can be found here