DD013 - Small Grants Funding 25/26 and 26/27

1.1 OPDC’s Small Grants Scheme is an opportunity for residents, businesses, 
conservationists, and voluntary groups who are active in their communities and 
passionate about local causes to improve the quality of life in their neighbourhoods 
over a 12-month period.

1.2 The Scheme is designed to celebrate all the different types of social action - from 
creating welcoming places for people to meet and develop new skills, to improving 
health and wellbeing and reducing loneliness.

1.3 Grants of between £1,000 and up to £7,000 are made available to support 
inclusive, grass-roots initiatives that make a positive difference to the community. 
In 2025, a total of almost £70,000 was awarded to 10 projects.

1.4 OPDC started the Scheme in 2019 to support neighbourhood projects that 
encourage people to volunteer, run special events, develop new interests, and give 
back to communities in the Old Oak and Park Royal area.

1.5 In total, almost £270,000 has been awarded to date to 52 community-led 
organisations to support foodbanks, training centres, and arts and culture 
programmes, supporting more than 60,000 residents so far.

1.6 OPDC launched its most recent Small Grants round in January 2025. The was the 
fourth time OPDC had rolled out the programme across the OPDC host London 
boroughs of Brent, Ealing, and Hammersmith & Fulham.

1.7 In 2025, for the first time and to ensure new organisations and initiatives were 
supported to maximise community benefit, OPDC prioritised projects and initiatives 
that had not received funding previously from the programme.

1.8 A summary of the programme’s timeline and associated funding allocations is set 
out below:

1.9 The Scheme enables OPDC to build and grow stronger relationships with a range 
of local groups and individuals by investing in the community - including younger 
people and those representing groups with protected characteristics - to deliver 
tangible beneficial outcomes.

1.10 The programme continues to generate a lot of interest with over 150 applications 
made over the last two years. OPDC has received a number of requests from 
community groups for further investment and funding moving forwards, as well as 
feedback seeking more investment in grass roots community-led initiatives to 
enable change within the area.

1.11 Projects delivered to date through the Scheme have included:

• mentoring
• dance classes
• cookery training
• a development programme to create mental health ambassadors for young people
• health and fitness and art projects.

1.12 In May 2025, a Small Grants celebration event was held at North Acton community 
venue The Foundry for those groups and projects that completed their projects in 
2023/4 - and for those awarded funding for 2024/25. The next round will be the fifth 
time the programme has run.

1.13 A full list of the projects from the most recent round of Small Grants (2025) will be 
published in the next prospectus.

2.1 To prioritise OPDC’s social value objectives set out in its Equity Diversity and 
Inclusion (EDI) strategy, the funding will prioritise projects and activities that meet 
one or more of the below criteria:

• contribute to the work of underrepresented community groups
• benefit young people, up to the age of 21
• support those who are undergoing change in the area

2.2 To ensure the process is both fair and transparent, we will run an open call for 
submissions which will be publicised across all OPDC’s communications channels, 
as well as utilising existing networks and contacting those who have already 
expressed an interest.

2.3 Through our community outreach initiatives, several community groups are already 
emerging as potential applicants. We will use our existing community drop-in
sessions to allow potential applicants to ask us questions. We can also offer one to 
one meetings and phone calls to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to 
engage.

2.4 Evaluation of submissions will be carried out by a selection panel of OPDC officers, 
representing a range of relevant organisational functions (community engagement; 
inclusive growth; design). This panel will provide recommendations for award for 
review and validation by OPDC senior managers.

2.5 In evaluating projects, we will apply eight criteria, each with weighted scores 
between 1 (weak) and 5 (strong), giving each application a maximum 40 points. 
Successful proposals will achieve a minimum of 30 points.

1. Proximity of project to the OPDC area (where it is located)
2. How the project will support local communities and beneficiaries in our area
3. How the project will support and safeguard people with protected characteristics (as set out in the Equality Act 2010), and champion diversity and young people
4. The amount of money applied for
5. How monitoring & reporting will be carried out on the project
6. Value for money worked out as cost per reach and cost per engagement (the intended reach of the project)
7. The risks associated with the project 
8. Strategic links with OPDC priorities

2.6 The application process has been developed using procedures implemented in 
previous years, to ensure applicants do not face barriers to access grant funding 
and that OPDC can work efficiently, quickly and robustly, having full assurances and
grant fund claimants can swiftly begin work.

2.7 Applicants are required to provide references as part of their applications but may 
still be subject to proportionate OPDC due diligence checks to mitigate risk.

2.8 Those awarded funding will receive a letter of notification from OPDC, the grant 
funding contract and terms and conditions before payments are processed.

2.9 To kick-start the delivery phase, in each of the two financial years, OPDC will host 
a combined welcome event for new awardees and showcase of project 
achievements from the previous year. This will give the new awardees and previous 
project teams an opportunity to share experiences. Funding for these events will 
come from the wider Communications, Engagement and Strategy budget.

2.10 Mid-project meetings and calls will be held with each project to review progress and 
commission mid-programme reports. End of project evaluation reports will be 
collected at year-end for each of the project years.

2.11 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will track impact and deliverables and be
quantitative and qualitative in nature, including numbers of projects/events; direct 
and indirect (in person and online) beneficiaries/audiences; number of volunteers; 
event type; partnerships; leverage and sentiment (for example surveys,
testimonials), which will measure the successes of the grant funded activities in 
terms of real outcomes and the impact on local people

3.1 The next rounds of Small Grants will build on the achievements of the previous four 
Small Grants programmes in 19/20, 22/23, 23/24 and 24/25. 

3.2 The overarching objective is to enable and empower a diverse range of residents 
and organisations to activate and deliver new initiatives in Old Oak and Park Royal 
to support, help and benefit local communities, making a tangible difference to 
quality of life and bringing positive change to the area they live, work or study in.

3.3 In previous years, OPDC has observed Small Grants funding make a real 
difference to those who need it most. We anticipate similar positive outcomes from 
these subsequent rounds.

3.4 Aligned with the criteria set out in Section 2 above, initiatives could include but are
not limited to opportunities to:

• gain new skills and knowledge that will increase chances of employment (educational workshops).
• improve mental and physical health and wellbeing for young people and families (workshops, confidence building).
• foster community cohesion (content and events for the community).
• enable residents to spend time away from the impact of construction (i.e., day trips).
• instil community pride (film productions, blogs, content).
• and reduce loneliness and isolation (outreach project, intergenerational community arts).

3.5 Outcomes will be assessed and tracked through metrics (e.g., number of 
beneficiaries, area of reach, levels of engagement) and sentiment reporting (for
example surveys, testimonials) to measure the successes of the grant funded 
activities.

3.6 Outcomes will be delivered in accordance with each project’s agreed timeline and 
key milestones across each of the financial years. They will be evidenced in a final, 
end of year report at the close of each round of funding.

4.1 The Scheme aligns with the Mayor of London’s priority to increase the diversity of 
cultural activities and enable more Londoners to access culture on their own 
doorstep.

4.2 It also aligns with OPDC’s aim to achieve change and capture benefits for 
Londoners: “not by telling residents and businesses what’s good for them, but by 
thoughtful engagement, listening to, and learning from the insights and works of 
local communities and reflecting this in planning the changes that we want to see.”
(OPDC Management Plan 2023/4). 

4.3 There is a strong strategic fit with OPDC’s Community Engagement Strategy, and
our key aims for engagement and priorities:

• Collaborate: building relationships across existing and new communities to work together effectively
• Empower: inspiring and assisting people to take an active role in local projects to benefit their community and shape positive change
• Improve public spaces and places
• Nurture local heritage, art and culture
• Promote skills, employment and opportunities
• Support local people affected by change in the area

4.4 The Small Grants programme aligns with the objectives and aims set out in 
OPDC’s EDI strategy, including to:

• Increase understanding of our communities
• Champion and celebrate the area’s rich diversity
• Ensure diverse and inclusive representation
• Plan for a welcoming, inclusive place

5.1 The resources required to administer the programme will replicate the 24/25 
model. The Head of Communications and Engagement will be the project lead, 
with day-to-day management and support from the Senior / Engagement Officers, 
and administrative, budgets and contractual support from Finance and Governance 
colleagues, overseen by the Chief Finance Officer.

5.2 The funding paperwork used previously for the Small Grants programme will be 
updated and will set out and agree the terms of the funding and to monitor progress 
and control the outcomes to ensure success.

5.3 Performance reports and post project evaluation will be requested at the agreed 
milestones and variations will be discussed with the project lead(s) to ensure they 
are addressed.

5.4 Grant recipients will have access to advice and support from OPDC officers. OPDC 
officers will arrange regular meetings with grantees to ensure that they are on track 
and provide support where they are facing challenges. There are mechanisms in 
place to support them to adjust their project if required. 

5.5 A final summary of Small Grants highlights and reach will be produced at the end 
of each year and presented at the celebration/welcome event. This will also be 
reflected in our annual communications dashboard monitoring.

Risk, Issues and Opportunities 

6.1 Under Section 149 the Equality Act 2010, as a public authority, OPDC must have 
‘due regard’ to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and 
victimisation as well as to the need to advance equality of opportunity and foster 
good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who 
do not.

6.2 A key objective of the Small Grants programme is that community champions play 
an active role, using the knowledge gained through previous grassroots activities to 
design upcoming initiatives they want and/or need to deliver to benefit the wider 
community, responding to local needs including to those who need support the most 
and those who may be seldom heard or whose first language may not be English.

6.3 OPDC will assess applications on this basis, ensuring that projects are developed 
using knowledge and that there are a range of initiatives to serve the diverse and 
multicultural population of Old Oak and Park Royal.

6.4 The evaluation metrics and KPIs will also include diversity monitoring and assess 
and track the real outcomes, impact and successes of the grant funded activities on 
equal measure.

6.5 In addition, all applications and printed or written material will be fully accessible, in 
accordance with the GLA’s accessibility guidelines, and will be offered in both 
language translations and Braille. All associated events for awardees will be in fully 
accessible venues that are DDI compliant and held at times that suit a range of 
lifestyles, including for school pupils and parents and carers

7.1 The Small Grants Scheme provides social value to the communities OPDC serves
by enabling them to deliver grass roots projects using their in-depth knowledge and 
close relationships with their communities.

7.2 Inclusive Growth – The programme enables community members to deliver jobs, 
skills, business and education benefits those who are taking part in the 
programmes. 

7.3 Community Engagement – Meaningful and participative long-term engagement to 
inform, involve and empower the communities and businesses we serve. This 
programme allows OPDC to reach those who are seldom heard and ensures that 
we can disseminate information about our engagement activities to these groups 
as well.

Communications and engagement
8.1 The communications team will ensure alignment on communications, branding, tone 
of voice, etc. and will engage actively with community champions undertaking
initiatives and projects using OPDC funding on wider strategic projects. The team 
will also support promoting the application process and successful initiatives using 
OPDC community communications channels.

Safeguarding
8.2 Safeguarding measures will be in place to protect individuals through risk 
assessments, for example ensuring accessible and safe event venues, protecting 
identities of participants from wider promotional material unless consent is provided 
and ensuring parental consent for individuals under the age of 18.

Data protection
8.3 All events and activities will adhere to the UK’s GDPR regulations.

9.1 No one involved in the preparation or clearance of this Form, or its substantive 
proposal, has any conflict of interest

10.1 There is currently budget for 25-26 for £70,000, during the budget setting process 
for 26-27 we have also allocated £70,000.

11.1 The foregoing sections of this report indicate that the decisions requested of the 
Director of Communications and Engagement concern the exercise of the 
Authority’s general powers; falling within the Authority’s statutory powers to do 
such things considered to further or which are facilitative of, conducive or incidental 
to the promotion of social development in Greater London; and in formulating the 
proposals in respect of which a decision is sought officers have complied with the 
Authority’s related statutory duties to: pay due regard to the principle that there 
should be equality of opportunity for all people; consider how the proposals will 
promote the improvement of health of persons, health inequalities between 
persons and to contribute towards the achievement of sustainable development in 
the United Kingdom; and consult with appropriate bodies.

11.2 In taking the decisions requested, the Director of Communications and 
Engagement must have due regard to the Public Sector Equality Duty; namely the 
need to eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct 
prohibited by the Equality Act 2010, and to advance equality of opportunity 
between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic (age; disability; 
gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; 
race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation) and persons who do not share it 
and foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected 
characteristic and persons who do not share it (section 149 of the Equality Act 
2010). To this end, the director should have particular regard to section 6 of this 
report.

11.3 Paragraphs above indicate that the contribution of £154,500 amounts to the 
provision of grant funding and not payment for works, supplies or services. Officers 
must ensure that the funding be distributed fairly, transparently, in accordance with 
the GLA’s equalities and with the requirements of section 12 of the Authority’s 
Contracts and Funding Code. Furthermore, officers must ensure that an 
appropriate funding agreement be put in place between and executed by the 
Authority and the recipient before any (a) commitment to fund is made; and (b) 
funding is paid to the recipient. 

11.4 The Subsidy Control Act 2022 requires that grant funding comply with its subsidy 
control principles. OPDC has considered the proposed grant funding under the 
Subsidy Control Act 2022 and confirms compliance with the relevant principles. 
11.5 No reliance can be placed on any future funding when approving this decision.

• CD178 - OPDC Small Grants Programme, Great Place Scheme (GPS) legacy was approved in April 2022 to deliver the programme for FY22/23.
• CD201- Small Grants funding 23/24 and 24/25 was approved in January 2024 to deliver a two-year programme for FY 23/25 and 24/25.