Community organisations and charities are being invited to apply for funding to deliver projects that help local people develop skills, overcome barriers and access opportunities that will be created by East Midlands Freeport investment.
East Midlands Freeport will be accepting applications from 9 September 2026 until 5pm on 6 October 2026.
The Fund is designed to support positive community projects in the Freeport area. It will support initiatives that strengthen skills and employability, raise aspirations, remove barriers to training and work.
East Midlands Freeport is working closely with public, private and voluntary-sector partners to ensure the benefits of investment reach local communities. The Skills and Community Equity Fund supports Mayor Claire Ward’s priorities to boost skills, widen access to good jobs and spread opportunity across the East Midlands.
Applications are particularly welcomed from projects supporting young people, underrepresented groups, people furthest from the labour market and communities facing disadvantage. Projects could include aspiration-raising activities, employability support, technical or transferable skills training, or practical help to address barriers such as transport, health, confidence or digital exclusion.
The Fund will prioritise strong proposals that take services and opportunities directly into communities to help people who may not otherwise get existing support, or respond to growing skills needs in sectors including engineering, logistics, clean energy, digital and advanced manufacturing.
Projects must benefit people, communities or employers within Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire. Organisations based outside the area may apply where they can clearly demonstrate that the funded activities and intended beneficiaries are located within the three counties.
Two types of grants are available:
- Standard grants, providing up to £50,000 for time-limited projects focused on areas such as training, upskilling, employability and raising aspirations.
- Strategic grants, supporting longer-term or potentially multi-year projects that contribute to the Freeport’s skills and community objectives. Strategic awards may exceed £50,000 but will be subject to additional approval.
Micro grants are not available in this funding round but will be open for applications in the next.
Tom Newman-Taylor, Chief Executive, East Midlands Freeport, said:
“The Freeport is about attracting investment and creating good jobs but also making sure local people benefit.
“Community organisations are often best placed to understand what is holding people back and what will work locally. Our role is to help unlock good ideas and support practical projects that can make a real difference.
“I would encourage organisations with a strong proposal to come forward and help us ensure the opportunities created by the Freeport reach right across our communities.”
The latest funding round will build on learning from the Fund’s pilot phase, which introduced young people to engineering, strengthened science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning in schools, and delivered accredited logistics training alongside wider support for people furthest from employment.
Applications will be assessed first for eligibility and then against areas including alignment with the Fund’s objectives, evidence of need, additionality, reach into priority communities, deliverability, measurable outcomes, organisational capability, value for money and risk management. Funding is competitive and meeting the eligibility criteria will not guarantee an award.
Constituted voluntary and community-sector organisations and charities that can enter into a grant agreement and manage public funding responsibly are encouraged to apply. Partnership applications are also welcomed, provided one organisation acts as the accountable lead.
Meet the Funder
Organisations considering an application are encouraged to book on to a meet-the-funder session to discuss the opportunity and ask questions:
- Wednesday 16 September 2026, 1.30pm to 4.30pm, Dryden Centre, Nottingham, NG1 4FQ
- Friday 18 September 2026, 9.30am to 12.30pm, Coalville C.A.N. (CAN HQ), Memorial Square, Coalville, LE67 3TU
- Friday 18 September 2026, 2.00pm to 4.30pm, Medical Technologies Innovation Facility, Clifton Lane, Clifton, Nottingham, NG11 8NS
How to apply
Applications open on 9 September 2026 and must be submitted by 5pm on 6 October 2026.
Applicants should read the full application guidance and eligibility criteria before completing the application form.
Completed applications and any questions about the Fund or the Meet the Funder sessions should be sent to info@emfreeport.com.
ENDS
Notes to editors
East Midlands Freeport’s Skills and Community Equity Fund aims to help communities benefit from Freeport opportunities by:
- promoting Freeport opportunities among hard-to-reach groups and less advantaged communities
- helping people access skills training and funded programmes that address sector skills gaps
- raising aspirations, particularly among young people
- supporting people not in education, employment or training to access employment
- developing transferable skills and behaviours needed for Freeport-related roles
- helping underrepresented groups enter the workforce
Projects should align with the East Midlands Freeport Skills Delivery Plan and complement, rather than duplicate, existing public, private or voluntary-sector provision.