The Community Renewal Fund (CRF) has been introduced by the UK Government for 2021/22 to support people and communities most in need across the UK.
The West Midlands Combined Authority has been nominated lead authority for the fund and is required to gather applications from Local Authorities, Universities, Colleges, Third Sector organisations and others.
The deadline for applications is Wednesday 12 May at 12 noon and all applications must be completed using the national application form.
You can find all key information in our Invitation to Bid.
We are interested in bids in four key areas:
See the Regional Priorities section of our Invitation to Bid for more information.
Government has identified 100 “priority places”, including 5 local authorities in the West Midlands (Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton).
Please read the UK Community Renewal Fund Prospectus and the UK Community Fund Technical Note for Project Applicants and Deliverers before starting work on a bid.
If you have any questions, please email us at CRF@wmca.org.uk
Thursday 1 April - Open for bid applications
Wednesday 12 May ( at 12 noon) - Close Bidding Process
Friday 18 June - Shortlist of bids submitted to MHCLG
Late July/August - Projects selected and funding provided
End March 2022 - All activity completed
a) UK Community Renewal Fund – WMCA Invitation to Bid
b) UK Community Renewal Fund Prospectus 2021-22
c) UKCRF Technical Note for Project Applicants
d) UKCRF Community Renewal: Application Form
f) Full list of Priority Places
g) UK Community Renewal Fund: Prioritisation of places methodology note
h) Places and Lead Authorities
j) West Midlands Local Skills Report - Evidence Base
The West Midlands Combined Authority have engaged with regional third sector organisations in ‘priority places’ to provide support to voluntary and community organisations in understanding the Community Renewal Fund and coordinating applications.
If you are organisation from the sector within one of the 5 priority places the West Midlands Combined Authority recommend you engage with your area lead, as detailed below.
If you are from Coventry or Solihull, please reach out to us directly at CRF@wmca.org.uk
Contact us
If you have any queries about Community Renewal Fund please contact us on: CRF@wmca.org.uk
Click on your local authority area to find out what support is available to voluntary and community organisations:
Organisation: Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC)
Lead: Brian Carr
Email: BrianC@bvsc.org
Social Enterprise Support from iSE
Lead: Sarah Crawley
Email: sarah.crawley@i-se.co.uk
Organisation: WMCA
Email: CRF@wmca.org.uk
Organisation: Dudley Council for Voluntary Service (Dudley CVS)
Lead: Andy Gray
Email: andygray@dudleycvs.org.uk
Social Enterprise Support from iSE
Lead: Sarah Crawley
Email: sarah.crawley@i-se.co.uk
Organisation: Sandwell Council of Voluntary Organisations (SCVO)
Lead: Mark Davis
Email: Mark@scvo.info
Social Enterprise Support from iSE
Lead: Sarah Crawley
Email: sarah.crawley@i-se.co.uk
Organisation: One Walsall
Lead: Manjit Dehal
Email: ManjitD@onewalsall.org
Social Enterprise Support from iSE
Lead: Sarah Crawley
Email: sarah.crawley@i-se.co.uk
Organisation: Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council (WVSC)
Lead: Ian Darch
Email: idarch@wolverhamptonvsc.org.uk
Social Enterprise Support from iSE
Lead: Sarah Crawley
Email: sarah.crawley@i-se.co.uk
Questions received from all bidders can be found here with updates uploaded on a weekly basis.
FAQ (Version 5) - Updated Wednesday 12 May