Black Culture Collective Connected Communities Fund
Now Closed!!
The Black Culture Collective Connected Communities Fund is now open and seeking applications from community groups, organisations, charities and individuals wishing to deliver participatory arts and culture events and workshops within the Thamesmead area.
We are asking for applications for activities that explore the idea of ‘Connected Communities’, showcasing the ways in which culture keeps communities in contemporary Britain connected together.
We encourage collaborative applications to widen engagement with local communities and to showcase the project in public spaces. individual artists and creative can apply but they will need a registered organisation to be the lead applicant who manages the grant.
This programme will be commissioned by a Panel of people who are active within the local area and who live, work, or study within the borough of Greenwich.
We want this project to be a celebration of the rich and vibrant cultures represented by our African and Caribbean diaspora communities. The projects should be highly interactive giving the community the opportunity to learn, connect, create and explore the borough’s cultural heritage in new ways.
If you’re part of a majority Black led community group, organisation or charity based in the Royal Borough of Greenwich or the London Borough of Bexley that wants to provide arts, culture and heritage activities to a broad range of residents in your community, we invite you to apply for a grant to fund your project.
The aim of the Connected Communities programme is to:
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support Black led charities, community groups and organisations to create a range of engaging educational activities and events that showcase the diverse culture and heritage of our African and Caribbean communities.
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widen participation of different sectors of the community with high quality arts and culture experiences.
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strengthen and deepen our understanding of the history and cultures of African and Caribbean communities within our local area.
What we will fund:
Funding is available to support a range of arts, cultural and heritage themed activities/projects. Applications must demonstrate benefits for the wider Thamesmead community and meet one or more of the following themes:
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Educational activities: that promote the creative learning of African and Caribbean history, heritage, culture, and language.
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Cultural programmes and provision; celebrating the performing or visual arts. This can include dance, song, drumming, storytelling, spoken word, open mic, poetry, craft, discussions, traditional dress, carnivals, events, showcases, talks, readings, etc.
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Food heritage: providing opportunities to learn about cultural dishes and how to cook them. Applicants may wish to use local communal kitchens/cafe spaces for delivery.
Grant size:
Grant of up to £4,000 commissioned by the Black Culture Collective and sponsored by Peabody Thamesmead Culture Team are available to cover the cost of project delivery.
There are also grants of up to £500 available to deliver a workshop, performance or event during our Black History programme of evens.
Eligibility:
The Black Culture Collective will provide grants for majority Black led not-for-profit organisations* including charities and community organisations, and also for Thamesmead residents aged 18+ who have an existing or new project. Aplicants must also be able to sign up as a member to the Black Culture Collective if their application is successful (please check our membership page for more information about becoming a member of the Black Culture Collective).
Income Threshold:
Applicant organisations must have an annual income of £80,000 or less.
Deadlines and Delivery:
The deadline for applications to 'Connected Communities' fund is 1pm on Saturday 20th September 2025.
Shortlisted applicants may be invited to have a interview with the Black Culture Collective to discuss your application before the final decision is made.
Decisions will be announced on Monday 6th October 2025.
You must deliver your events to the public either indoors or outdoors, in the Thamesmead area for the benefit of Thamesmead residents. Project delivery must take place between 6th October 2025 and 30th April 2026. All the monitoring and evaluation forms for your project must be completed before May 21st 2026.
If you require a community space to deliver your project, we would like to encourage you to consider The Nest Thamesmead and The Moorings Social Club.
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The Nest is located near Southmere Lake, 3 Cygnet Square, London, SE2 9FA.
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The Moorings Social Club is located at Arnott Close, Thamesmead SE28 8BG.
For more information about these spaces please contact ThamesmeadCommunityTeam@peabody.org.uk
or call 020 3828 4920.
Apply to the Black Culture Collective's Connected Communities Fund here by Saturday 20th September at 1pm.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss any element of the fund or your application, please contact us via email at: info@BlackCultureCollective.co.uk
The Connected Communities Fund is run by The Black Culture Collective and an advisory group of local residents and stakeholders. The money for the fund comes from Peabody Thamesmead Culture Team.