Local charities and community groups are being invited to apply for funding as part of a new initiative from Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).
The £200,000 grassroots innovation fund, announced on Thursday, 14 August, aims to support creative projects that will help make Bedfordshire “safer and fairer.”
Grants of up to £5,000 are available for new initiatives, with the scheme designed to encourage organisations to bring forward their own ideas rather than working to strict funding criteria.
PCC John Tizard described the fund as a chance to rethink traditional commissioning.
“This is a great opportunity to turn our traditional commissioning and grants programme upside down,” he said. “Rather than telling charities and community groups what we want them to do, I am inviting you to tell me what you can do to make Bedfordshire safer and fairer.
“This initiative, whilst ensuring probity, will be very light touch, without the usual bureaucratic and burdensome processes usually associated with public sector grants and commissioning.”
The fund will be officially launched at a hybrid event on Tuesday, 17 September at Bedfordshire Police HQ.
Charities and organisations can attend in person or online, where they will learn more about the scheme’s ambitions and the application process. The Commissioning Team is particularly keen to engage groups who have not previously worked with the PCC’s office.
Aims of the initiative
The grassroots innovation fund sits within the PCC’s wider funding and commissioning strategy and is designed to support projects addressing priorities from the Police and Crime Plan, including:
- Preventing crime through early intervention, tackling causes of criminality, and supporting communities to reclaim neighbourhoods.
- Tackling serious crime by reducing violence, engaging young people, and protecting those at risk of exploitation.
- Supporting victims with trauma-informed services and improved access for underrepresented groups.
- Building a stronger justice system by exploring restorative practices and problem-solving approaches.
- Protecting women and children through safeguarding, prevention of violence, and greater confidence in reporting crimes.
- Strengthening policing by boosting community trust, encouraging collaborative working, and improving responses to rural and local issues.
Organisations interested in applying can sign up for the launch event and find further information through the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC).
You can sign up to participate in the in-person event here or watch it online here.
