Sport Relief Opens for Applications

Sport relief aims to use sport to tackle the exclusion and isolation experienced by some of the poorest and most disadvantaged communities. The grants programme is now open.

Sport Relief was set up by Comic Relief and BBC Sport to use the power and passion of sport to tackle poverty and disadvantage.

Community organisations are invited to put forward proposals that plan to use sport to make a real and lasting impact on the lives of people who are clearly excluded or disadvantaged – and who have not been involved in sport.

The beneficiaries must be people who are excluded or disadvantaged through low income, rural or social isolation, age, disabilities, race, sexuality or gender. The initiative should seek to prioritize initiatives that are grassroots based and are using sport and exercise as a means of addressing the needs of disadvantaged local neighbourhoods.

It is hoped that a number of initiatives addressing the needs of people aged over 60 years will be supported.

Sports Relief Grants Funding Themes

Projects seeking funding should identify how they address one of the two themes:

Theme (i) increasing access to sport and exercise for people who face social exclusion and isolation;
Theme (ii) helping people who are experiencing difficulties in their lives to regain their confidence and self-esteem.

Examples of Eligible Projects Theme(i):

A group of Asian women meeting for mutual support getting involved in keep fit or other sports activities
Movement to Music classes for isolated older people
A group of disabled people wanting to undertake sport or a club wanting to increase sporting opportunities for disabled people
A bowling club wanting to extend its activities to provide short mat bowling to older/disabled people in an area

Examples of Eligible Projects Theme (ii):

Women’s refuges wanting to undertake sport or exercise with the women or their children
People with mental health problems wanting to help rebuild their lives through sport
Refugees or asylum seekers using sport to help cope with traumatic experiences
Positive sport activities for children with behavioural problems
People with substance misuse issues using sport to aid recovery

Applications are sought from community organisations working with the more disadvantaged and excluded communities and groups. Proposals from this type of organisation rather than requests from sporting organisations for running costs will be prioritised.

The criteria exclude funding the following:

to individuals;
to statutory organisations, including schools;
to fund trips abroad;
to fund buses, mini buses or other community transport schemes (not including transport costs forming part of a project);
to fund building costs, including access adaptations to buildings

Grants will range from £1,000 - £10,000. It should be noted however that the total budget for 2007 is £60,000 and for 2008 is £60,000.

Applications will be considered in 5 rounds. The closing date for each round is 4pm on the following dates: