On the 75th anniversary of Windrush, Hackney Council is offering microgrants of up to £2,000 for community groups and organisations to fund projects that celebrate or support the Windrush Generation and their descendants.
Microgrants are open to community groups, not-for-profit organisations and local venues based in Hackney, to fund events, activities, workshops, public awareness campaigns, mental health and well-being classes, and other projects that expand the narrative of the Windrush story or help preserve and share the history of Windrush for future generations.
2023 marks 75 years since the UK began to benefit from the Windrush Generation’s arrival, meaning there are up to four generations alive today who all deserve to be acknowledged.
This year’s microgrant scheme aims to inspire projects that explore the following themes to add diversity and depth to the Windrush story, while fighting for the justice of those still impacted by the Windrush Scandal.
The Hackney Windrush 75 objectives are:
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To expand the narrative of the Windrush story – moving away from singular narratives that limit the community to one group of people from one island, class, age group, ship or story of injustice and encourage exploration of the wider experience and history so we can present an authentic account for future generations.
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Preserve and share the stories and history of the Windrush Generation for future generations.
Desired outcomes:
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Creation of new artwork, resources or activities that explore the diverse identities of the Windrush generation and their descendants.
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Intergenerational engagement and contribution from a diverse range of communities.
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Residents have a greater understanding of the diversity of the Windrush Generation and their lived experiences.
Eligibility criteria
Hackney Council supports this exciting cultural offer through its microgrant scheme, a marketing campaign and additional outreach support.
Who can apply?
Community groups, not-for-profit organisations and local venues can apply. A ‘community group’ means a group that meets all the following criteria:
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Established for charitable, benevolent or philanthropic purposes;
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Has a governing body with at least three members
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Has a governing document that they can produce
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Can provide accounts for the last two financial years on request
Hackney Council will fund organisations directly to contribute to this year’s programme. Organisations must be based in, or working in the London Borough of Hackney.
Individuals are not eligible to apply but can seek collaboration and work with groups that meet the above.
What will we fund?
Please note that making an application is not a guarantee of funding. We expect more applications under this awards scheme than we are able to fund, therefore Hackney Council is looking for applications that do at least one or all of the following:
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Honour the Windrush Generation via a community celebration or event that brings people from a diverse range of communities together to acknowledge their contributions. Proposals with Intergenerational engagement will support your application.
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The creation of artwork/s, or cultural activity (such as – but not limited to – a creative workshop, poetry, musical performance or film screening) that explores the identity of the Windrush Generation and their descendants.
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Provide educational resources or an event that explores the identity of the Windrush Generation and their descendants. These could be materials, workshops or seminars to help with learning and understanding the contributions and legacy of the Windrush generation.
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Activity should be held at an accessible venue and we will consider access costs presented in your budget.
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Activities must be free to attend or at a low cost.
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Ideas can be – but are not limited to – intergenerational celebratory community events, artwork, educational activities and resources, and mental health and well-being classes.
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Projects not open to the wider public, where project coordinators will be recruiting participants within their own network, will be considered.
The Windrush Compensation Scheme
Designed and run by the Home Office, The Windrush Compensation Scheme was launched on 3 April 2019 to compensate those impacted by the Windrush Scandal. Eligible Hackney residents include the ‘Windrush Generation’, UK residents who came to the UK from any Commonwealth country before 1973 as well as UK residents from any country who were legally settled in the UK prior to the end of 1988 who can demonstrate they were impacted by the Windrush Scandal.
Cultural organisations and community groups can apply for the microgrants to fund projects and information sessions that will support eligible Hackney residents to apply for the Windrush Compensation scheme. The aim is to improve take up by those who have been impacted by hostile environment policies, including Windrush.
As an example, microgrants could be offered to groups and organisations working with Windrush-affected communities through supporting the promotion of legal advice services. As of November 2021 there are two national schemes which provide legal support to claimants:
Important information
Successful applicants will be expected to provide the following:
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A copy of the organisation’s constitution
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Copies of the financial year-end accounts and the latest bank statement
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Venue Risk Assessment, if your event is face-to-face
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Event Risk Assessment, if your event is face-to-face
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Child protection policy and DBS numbers, if working with children and young people
This will be the responsibility of the grant recipient. We do not fund activities retrospectively.
Hackney Council reserves the right to only fund projects that meet the criteria to apply. In addition, we reserve the right to only award part of the grant, or not award any funding.
Presenting your budget
Applications may be refused or a lower award than requested may be offered if you cannot demonstrate how you plan to spend the amount you have applied for.
Please note that the grant amount awarded to a successful applicant is final following the issuing of a grant offer letter .
Receiving your grant payment
Organisations can receive up to 50% of their grant, ahead of completing their project, once the following is completed:
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Promotional material for the project is complete and approved by a Council Officer
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Booking information is live and ready to promote
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Requested documents outlined in the grant offer letter is received and satisfactory
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The contract agreement is signed and returned
This part-payment option is available on request. Otherwise, funds will be paid on completion of the project and once the data provided for the evaluation is satisfactory.
How to apply
Please submit your online application by midday on Friday, 17 March 2023.
We will notify you of the decision of your application by 25 March 2023. Successful projects should be able to be delivered and completed within the 75th anniversary year and no later than 31 December 2023.
