Grants up to £22k now available to support young people and community safety projects as two PFCC funds launched today

Today, Thursday 3 July, Essex Police Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst launches two funds offering grants to organisations supporting young people or community safety projects across Southend, Essex or Thurrock.

The Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit Community Grant is now open for applications up to £22k and the Community Safety Development Fund 2025/26 is now open for applications up to £20k.

Since the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit (VVU) was established in 2019, Essex Hospitals have seen over 50% reduction in admissions due to knife harm, and a 24% reduction in knife crime across the county. This is in contrast to national trends. The VVU is now inviting local groups to apply for up to £22,000 funding from the VVU Community Grant to deliver innovative, youth-led interventions that foster connection, belonging, and safety in their local communities.

The Community Safety Development Fund (CSDF) 2025/26, is designed to support the local voluntary and community safety sector in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour across the county, building safer and stronger communities. Groups can now apply to the CSDF for grants up to £20k

Embedding support in communities

Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, and chair of the Violence and Vulnerability Partnership said: “Projects that are embedded in their communities are uniquely placed to understand the needs of the young people, families and communities they work with. This understanding provides the targeted support needed to address issues such as serious violence, anti-social behaviour, lack of engagement in education, crime and social isolation.”

“It is only by working together and using the knowledge that exists at a local level, that we build stronger, safer communities and happier, healthier young people. I’m delighted to launch both the VVU Community Grant and the Community Safety Development Fund and look forward to seeing what projects and initiatives are funded, continuing our priority to make Essex a safe place to live, work and grow up in.”

The grants

The Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit (VVU) Community Grant (for work in 2026/27) is designed to support community organisations across Essex work directly with young people, in local settings, with targeted, community specific interventions which have a positive impact on issues relating to serious violence.

Under the theme of #ConnectBelongStaySafe, the VVU invites local groups to apply for up to £22,000 funding to deliver innovative, youth-led interventions that foster connection, belonging, and safety in their local communities. As with previous years, projects applying for funding must be able to evidence they meet the needs highlighted by local young people, in local areas, in our most recent Listening Project.

Previous projects funded through the CSDF have included initiatives supporting people experiencing homelessness, providing crisis support for families facing Domestic Abuse, and educating on violence against women and girls. A range of grassroots projects, led by local community groups have also worked hard to reduce re-offending, improve safety in the night-time economy and install crime prevention measures, helping people feel safe and connected to their local communities.

Projects are invited to apply for up to £20,000 in funding to support local initiatives that align with the Police and Crime Plan 2024-2028

How to apply

For more information about the VVU Community Grant including criteria and how to apply, visit here

Applications for the VVU Community Grant must be received by noon on Wednesday 10 September 2025.

For more information about the Community Safety Development Fund, including criteria and how to apply, visit here Community Grants – Essex PFCC

Applications for the Community Safety Development Fund must be received by Wednesday 10th September 2025.