Connected Communities Fund

Connected Communities Fund 2026-2027 will open on 6^th October 2026

We’re excited to announce that the Connected Communities Fund is back for another year.

What is the Connected Communities Fund?

This fund is a partnership between OCVA, Community First Oxfordshire, and Oxfordshire County Council to support The Oxfordshire Way, a countywide vision to help people live well and independently in their communities for as long as possible. It’s all about building resilience, reducing isolation, and creating opportunities for people to stay active, connected, and supported close to home reducing the need for formal care or support services.

Learn more about the Oxfordshire Way.

If you deliver regular, group-based activities focused on staying active, reducing isolation or building new skills, this fund is here to support your work.

Who is it for?

We’re looking to support projects that benefit:

Older adults (65+)

Adults (18+) with additional needs – Including but not limited to:
- People living with physical or mental health conditions
- Neurodivergent adults
- Those experiencing loneliness or social isolation
- People who may find it difficult to access adult social care due to language, cultural or other barriers
- Unpaid carers

Your project could focus on:

🧩 Community-based socialising
🌿 Health & wellbeing
🎨 Arts, culture & creativity
🌳 Green/environmental and outdoor activities
📚 Learning new skills

Which type of organisations can apply?

Charity
Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
Community interest company limited by guarantee (CIC)
Registered company with charitable status
Co-operative community benefit societies
Social enterprise
Community groups with a bank account in the name of the organisation applying

Note: We’re not able to fund private individuals, private companies, public regulatory bodies, national charities without a clearly defined Oxfordshire-focused project and ringfenced budget and accounts.

What kind of activities/projects are eligible?

We’re looking for regular, ongoing group activities that people attend on a regular basis and create continued benefit for the community, with the fund focusing this year on prioritising rural areas.

This includes:

Group activities that provide opportunities for people to connect and socialise
Groups that support mental and physical wellbeing through their activities
Intergenerational or wider community projects (eligible only where older people 65+ are the primary beneficiaries, and this focus is clearly demonstrated within the application)
Costs directly related to running your activity, including promotion
Small capital costs (if completed within the funding period and leave a lasting legacy)

We especially welcome activity projects that:

Fill gaps in local activity provision (e.g. responding to needs highlighted by social prescribers or neighbourhood teams)
Enhance what’s already available locally
Try something new such as tackling digital exclusion or using local spaces creatively
Work with local businesses to create social, environmental, or economic benefits
Create opportunities for unpaid carers to connect through social activities
Build strong, resilient communities that last beyond the life of the grant

What we cannot fund

One-off events, occasional gatherings or short-term activities that are not part of a regular, ongoing group activity
Projects for children/young people only
Private individuals, private companies, public regulatory bodies, national charities without a clearly defined Oxfordshire-focused project and ringfenced accounts and budget
Improvements to land/buildings not owned by the applicant.

When do I need to apply by?

The Connected Communities Fund operates on a rolling basis, which means we assess applications as they are received rather than waiting until a closing date.

There is no fixed closing date. The fund remains open while funding is available and closes once all available funding has been allocated.

Because funding is awarded throughout the life of the fund, we encourage groups to apply as early as possible rather than waiting until later in the funding period.

How to apply

The Fund will open for applications on Tuesday 6th October.

A few more things to keep in mind:

Community groups are only able to apply to either the Connected Communities Fund or Community Capacity Fund. Applications sent to both funds will not be accepted, therefore please read the criteria and eligibility for each fund to see which fits your project best before applying.
Your group and activity should be based in Oxfordshire and benefit people living here

You don’t need to be a constituted organisation. Informal groups (with group bank accounts) can apply too
Activities must be inclusive and not promote a single faith or political view
You can apply for the full cost of your activity, up to £5,000. Please be aware that funding decisions are based on the information provided in your application and the funds available, and we may not be able to award the full amount requested
Grants are paid when your project is ready to begin. Activities should be ready to commence directly after payment is received

If you need to contact us in the meantime, please email ccf@ocva.org.uk

Funded by Oxfordshire County Council (Adult Social Care)

Delivered in partnership by OCVA and Community First Oxfordshire