This fund is currently closed.
About the fund
Health inequalities are defined for the purpose of this fund as avoidable and systematic differences in health between different groups of people. Health inequalities can involve differences in:
- Health status, for example, life expectancy and prevalence of physical and mental health conditions
- Access to care, for example, availability of treatments
- Quality and experience of care, for example, levels of patient satisfaction
- Behavioural risks to health, for example, smoking rates
- Wider determinants of health, for example, quality of housing.
Covid-19 has widened health inequalities in England by disproportionately affecting those already experiencing health inequalities, especially some people from ethnic minority communities.
Aim of the Fund
The aim of this Fund is to enable not-for–profit groups to deliver projects that directly and specifically address one or more aspects of health inequalities that impact on the life expectancy and quality of life for some people from ethnic minority communities across our county.
Funded projects will be able to explain what area of inequality they are addressing, how they will reach their target audience, and how they will measure and report on the difference their work has made.
How much can we apply for?
Grants are available up to £15,000.
Project criteria
We are looking to support innovative and creative ideas that directly contribute to the aim of reducing health inequalities for ethnic minority groups in Buckinghamshire.
Applications are invited from projects which are designed and delivered exclusively or primarily for ethnic minority groups, or in a setting where the activity would produce significant benefit to these groups (for example, to help service providers improve cultural awareness).
Projects may address inequalities in physical health, mental health, or both.
They may aim to address inequalities at any age – from birth to later life. We want to respect your experience and expertise in this area so do not wish to be prescriptive about how this is achieved.
- Improved culturally relevant information, advice, guidance, and support for healthy lifestyles or specific programmes such as vaccination or health screening.
- Programmes to manage higher risk conditions (see Appendix B) for ethnic minority communities in culturally appropriate settings.
- Health and wellbeing education or awareness raising projects.
- Support for the empowerment of women and girls.
- Improved cultural awareness for those providing existing health and wellbeing services.
- Advocacy support to access to or navigate pathways within existing health and wellbeing services
The deadline for applications is 6th August 2026.
Funding decisions will be notified in September 2026 and so the project/funding start date you select must be no earlier than 1st October 2026.
Projects should normally start no later than 6 weeks after the grant is awarded and should be completed within 12 months of the start date.
Grant-making priority
Priority will be given to applications which:
- Are led by people who identify as being from an ethnic minority group or background and/or
- Identify how ethnic minority groups have been/will be involved in the design and delivery of the project
- Explain how the work will become part of the organisation’s normal work in the future.
- Demonstrate collaboration with other partners.
- Focus in the geographic areas of highest disadvantage in Buckinghamshire (Aylesbury, High Wycombe,
and Chesham)
Other information
Applicants will need to:
- Identify and explain what area(s) of health inequality their project addresses and the evidence which supports this.
- Explain how their activity will specifically benefit ethnic minority groups or those from ethnic minority backgrounds.
- Explain how they will measure the difference their work has made and report on the outcomes achieved.
- Explain how they will reach and engage their target audience.
Who can apply?
Registered charities, community groups, social enterprises, Community Interest Companies (limited by guarantee), Community Benefit Societies or other not for profit organisations. This includes school-affiliated groups (e.g., school student councils, Parents or Friends Associations).
Organisations must be formally constituted and operate for public benefit. Organisations should be based in or operate for the benefit of ethnic minority groups or those from ethnic minority backgrounds (including Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities) in the area administered by Buckinghamshire Council.
Project costs associated with new, or the enhancement of existing initiatives – (enhancement projects should be designed to reach new geographic areas or to engage with a new community rather than simply growing the size of an existing group).
Core costs, where these are required to enable the delivery of the project outcomes.
Capital expenditure – we would not expect capital costs to exceed 25% of the overall project cost. Please contact us to discuss further if you think you may need to exceed this.
- Activities promoting a particular religious or political belief
- Overseas travel
- Projects which have already started, or are already completed
- Individuals
- Statutory bodies or activity which is a statutory responsibility of a public body (excluding parish/town councils)
- Profit-making organisations
- Organisations whose principal concern is animal welfare
