Citizen Local Fund


🎉Citizen Local Fund Opening Soon 🎉


The Citizen Local Fund Opens on 15th September!


We can’t believe it’s that time of year again… the second round of the Citizen Local Fund opens on 15th September!

Last time, we were blown away by your ideas! we received 41 amazing applications and were truly inspired by the brilliant projects you proposed!

Over 4 weeks, we carefully looked at each application. Then, our Customer Assurance Committee (a group of Citizen customers who help us make decisions) reviewed every project and chose the ones that met the criteria.

In round one, we were able to support or part-fund 18 fantastic projects — and we’re excited to share that many of these are now up and running, already making a difference in our communities! 🙌

There’s £50,000 available across two rounds of funding, so if you missed out last time — don’t worry! Another chance is coming soon.


👉 Keep an eye on our Citizen Together Hub, website, and social media for updates.
📺 We’ll also be going LIVE on Facebook to talk all about the Citizen Local Fund — don’t miss it!

✨ Check out our 👉 Awarded Projects by Citizen Local Fund to see the amazing work happening in Citizen communities


📝 How to Apply for the Citizen Local Fund

Please note: Applications cannot be submitted before 15th September.

You can download the application form by visiting:👉 Citizen Local Fund (This link will be live from 15th September.)

  • If you have trouble using the link, there is a Word document available on the page titled "Word Application Form".
  • Support videos are available on the page to help guide you through the application process — feel free to watch them if you'd find it helpful. We're here to support you every step of the way.
  • If you have any questions, please email us at engagement@citizenhousing.org.uk.

🔄 What’s New in This Round

We want to ensure that the process of applying for the Citizen Local Fund is as easy and supportive as possible. Based on feedback from the last round, we’ve made some helpful improvements:

  • ✅ New Funding Matrix: We've introduced a clear matrix to guide you on the amount of funding you can apply for, depending on the type of event or activity you're planning.
    📄 Please see the Documents section on the application page to view the matrix.

  • 💡 Personal Items: The Citizen Local Fund is designed to support community-based projects, so unfortunately it can't be used to fund personal items. However, we have an amazing advice service that may be able to offer support — please don’t hesitate to reach out.


Celebrating the People Behind Our Community Projects 🌟

Across our communities, passionate individuals and groups are working hard to bring people together, offer support, and create lasting change. Whether it’s through cooking sessions, social clubs, or wellbeing activities, these projects are making a real difference. We want to celebrate the amazing work these projects are doing and Citizen are proud to be involved

Here are just a few quotes from the projects, showing the impact they’re having: 💬

Wood End and Bell Green Breakfast & Lunch Club – Diane’s Story

  • “It was truly a heart-warming experience.”
  • “Just small things that I hope can make someone’s day a little easier.”
  • “I’m so grateful to be actively involved in my local community and to support those who need it most.”
  • “Why not make the project bigger—like opening a community hub or a food bank for single men like us?”

The Gateway Charity Cooking Group

  • “The Gateway cooking group has opened doors for me to experiment with new cooking ideas. I cook more often and the meals taste great.”
  • “This course empowers individuals by giving them practical skills, making the most of limited ingredients.”
  • “These sessions have sparked my creativity and confidence in the kitchen.”
  • “We learn together as a group in a supportive environment.”
  • “These sessions help us avoid food waste, improve food hygiene, and have a lasting impact on wellbeing.”
  • “I wasn’t able to attend the session, but I used the recipe and easy steps to make a healthy meal for my family. It was delicious!”

NICE Charity

  • “Your support meant our adults, who are often facing challenges at home and in daily life, had a lovely afternoon, meeting friends and having a good time.”


These quotes are just a glimpse of the incredible work happening across our communities.


🎉Citizen Local Fund Opening Soon 🎉


The Citizen Local Fund Opens on 15th September!


We can’t believe it’s that time of year again… the second round of the Citizen Local Fund opens on 15th September!

Last time, we were blown away by your ideas! we received 41 amazing applications and were truly inspired by the brilliant projects you proposed!

Over 4 weeks, we carefully looked at each application. Then, our Customer Assurance Committee (a group of Citizen customers who help us make decisions) reviewed every project and chose the ones that met the criteria.

In round one, we were able to support or part-fund 18 fantastic projects — and we’re excited to share that many of these are now up and running, already making a difference in our communities! 🙌

There’s £50,000 available across two rounds of funding, so if you missed out last time — don’t worry! Another chance is coming soon.


👉 Keep an eye on our Citizen Together Hub, website, and social media for updates.
📺 We’ll also be going LIVE on Facebook to talk all about the Citizen Local Fund — don’t miss it!

✨ Check out our 👉 Awarded Projects by Citizen Local Fund to see the amazing work happening in Citizen communities


📝 How to Apply for the Citizen Local Fund

Please note: Applications cannot be submitted before 15th September.

You can download the application form by visiting:👉 Citizen Local Fund (This link will be live from 15th September.)

  • If you have trouble using the link, there is a Word document available on the page titled "Word Application Form".
  • Support videos are available on the page to help guide you through the application process — feel free to watch them if you'd find it helpful. We're here to support you every step of the way.
  • If you have any questions, please email us at engagement@citizenhousing.org.uk.

🔄 What’s New in This Round

We want to ensure that the process of applying for the Citizen Local Fund is as easy and supportive as possible. Based on feedback from the last round, we’ve made some helpful improvements:

  • ✅ New Funding Matrix: We've introduced a clear matrix to guide you on the amount of funding you can apply for, depending on the type of event or activity you're planning.
    📄 Please see the Documents section on the application page to view the matrix.

  • 💡 Personal Items: The Citizen Local Fund is designed to support community-based projects, so unfortunately it can't be used to fund personal items. However, we have an amazing advice service that may be able to offer support — please don’t hesitate to reach out.


Celebrating the People Behind Our Community Projects 🌟

Across our communities, passionate individuals and groups are working hard to bring people together, offer support, and create lasting change. Whether it’s through cooking sessions, social clubs, or wellbeing activities, these projects are making a real difference. We want to celebrate the amazing work these projects are doing and Citizen are proud to be involved

Here are just a few quotes from the projects, showing the impact they’re having: 💬

Wood End and Bell Green Breakfast & Lunch Club – Diane’s Story

  • “It was truly a heart-warming experience.”
  • “Just small things that I hope can make someone’s day a little easier.”
  • “I’m so grateful to be actively involved in my local community and to support those who need it most.”
  • “Why not make the project bigger—like opening a community hub or a food bank for single men like us?”

The Gateway Charity Cooking Group

  • “The Gateway cooking group has opened doors for me to experiment with new cooking ideas. I cook more often and the meals taste great.”
  • “This course empowers individuals by giving them practical skills, making the most of limited ingredients.”
  • “These sessions have sparked my creativity and confidence in the kitchen.”
  • “We learn together as a group in a supportive environment.”
  • “These sessions help us avoid food waste, improve food hygiene, and have a lasting impact on wellbeing.”
  • “I wasn’t able to attend the session, but I used the recipe and easy steps to make a healthy meal for my family. It was delicious!”

NICE Charity

  • “Your support meant our adults, who are often facing challenges at home and in daily life, had a lovely afternoon, meeting friends and having a good time.”


These quotes are just a glimpse of the incredible work happening across our communities.

  • Thank You from The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital


    We’re really proud to share a lovely thank-you message we received from The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital and the Royal Orthopaedic Charity.

    This project was awarded funding in the last round of the Citizen Local Fund, to help them buy new chairs for their Admissions and Day Case Unit (ADCU).

    Thanks to this donation, the hospital was able to replace old chairs with new, comfy and modern ones. This has made a big difference to patients waiting for treatment, helping them feel more comfortable. Staff and patients have said lots of positive things about the changes.

    You can read more about how this has helped on their website: ADCU Chairs Project

    The hospital is now planning more projects to help patients in 2025. They’ve asked for advice on how to apply for support again, and we’re happy to help. 🤝

    It’s great to see how our funding can help people. We’re really pleased to support such an important cause!

  • 💬 You Spoke, We Listened: Support to Help You Apply for the Citizen Local Fund

    Before the opening round of the Citizen Local Fund, the Engagement team wanted to support our applicants as much as possible. We know that some people applying may never have done this before, so we offered help to make sure every project – big or small – has the best chance of getting funding.

    We learnt from previous rounds and from the feedback in our Citizen Local Fund survey that more support was needed. So, we worked on making tutorial videos 🎥 with helpful hints and tips 💡 to guide you through the application process. We also offered support with filling in the application form.


    We’re really pleased to share some fantastic feedback from one of our applicants:



    It’s wonderful to know the support is making a difference.

    If you haven’t applied yet, don’t forget – the deadline to apply for the Citizen Local Fund is 5pm on 23rd May 2025. There’s still time! ⏰


  • Citizen Local Fund Application Support🧑‍💻👩‍💻🛠️

    👩‍💻We have created some short videos to run through the application form; discussing Top Tips, clarity around questions, and overall support when applying for CLF. Please check them out if you require any additional support. Don't forget- If you have any questions or you need support in the application process, please email the team: engagement@citizenhousing.org.uk



    CLF Application Support- Introduction

    CLF Application Support- Pre Application Checklist

    CLF Application Support- My Details

    CLF Application Support- About your Project

    CLF Application Support- How Much


  • Facebook Live

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    🎥 Citizen Local Fund Facebook Live Recap 🎥

    On 3rd April 2025, our amazing team members, Vicki and Jamie from the Engagement Team, went live on Facebook to talk all about the Citizen Local Fund! 💡💰

    Citizen Local Fund | Live talk with Vicki and Jamie to discuss Citizen Local Fund | By Citizen | Facebook

    We understand that applying for funding can feel overwhelming, but don't worry – our goal is to ensure everyone feels supported throughout the process. Whether you're a first-time applicant or you're looking for some extra guidance, we’re here to provide all the tools and information you need to submit a successful project application. 📝✨

    👉 Watch the full video to hear directly from Vicki and Jamie as they walk you through the fund's purpose, how to apply, and answer some common questions. Plus, they’re sharing valuable tips to help you complete your application smoothly and increase your chances of success! 🔑💪

    If you still have questions after watching, we’ve got your back! Feel free to drop us an email at engagement@citizen.org.uk – we’re happy to help you every step of the way! 😊💬

    Together, we can make your project a reality! 🚀

  • Eglise Armée des Vainqueurs

    A Safe and Friendly Place for Everyone

    Since 2022, our group, Eglise Armée des Vainqueurs (Church Army of the Victorious), has been running a project to help people who feel lonely or are struggling with their wellbeing. We want everyone to feel safe, welcome, and supported.

    Thanks to funding from the Citizen Local Fund, we’ve been able to offer drinks and snacks at every session. This means people can relax, chat, and take part without worrying about being hungry. We support many people, including parents of children with additional needs, by giving them helpful information and showing them where to get more support.

    The best part of this project has been watching people grow in confidence, especially those over 60. It’s been amazing to see them making new friends and smiling more.

    We’ve also helped people who speak little or no English. We assist them with filling in forms, applying for benefits, and understanding important information. Our space is warm and welcoming, where people can meet others, share their stories, and feel part of the community.



    One lovely story is about a man who was walking past our building. He saw people inside and wanted to know what was happening. He decided to come in—and he was greeted with a big smile and open arms. He felt so welcome that he came back the next week, and he’s been coming ever since!

    Looking ahead, we hope to keep going by finding more funding and building strong partnerships. This project has made a real difference. It has helped reduce loneliness and shown people where to find help with their mental health. We are proud to be part of a stronger, more connected community.

  • Canley Community Church - Inspiring Women Events

    Canley Community Church - Inspiring Women Events:

    Canley Community Church received funding from the first round of the Citizen Local Fund 2024 to create the Inspiring Women Events, with three events planned between June 2024 and May 2025. These events aim to raise awareness of the fantastic work happening in the community and encourage more women to get involved.

    The Engagement Team was fortunate to attend one of these events, and we were truly inspired by the experience.

    It was an uplifting day, celebrating and empowering women in the community. Each guest received a goody bag and positive affirmations, while the event organiser spoke about the importance of supporting each other and promoting community wellbeing.

    The events will offer a range of activities led by local women, including cultural and social events, talks, creative workshops, and activities like knitting, crochet, and more. They will provide women with the chance to learn new skills, form new friendships, and strengthen community connections.

    We will also introduce women to volunteering opportunities and local support services, all aimed at making Canley an even better place to live through active community involvement.

    It was a wonderful opportunity to see how the Citizen Local Fund is helping projects like this come to life.



  • Adullam Social Enterprise

    Adullam Social Enterprise

    Read about one of our most recent projects that has been supported by the Citizen Local Fund.

    “Food and Wellbeing Garden”

    Adullam Social Enterprises (ASE) are extremely excited about developing their “Food and Wellbeing Garden” in the community in the West Midlands following the funding we received from the Citizen Local Fund.

    On the 20 December 2023 their National Volunteer Co-ordinator Poonam Bains, inducted their first group of volunteers who signed up to support the development of the project. In January, the staff and volunteers will support the local residents to design their community garden, in order for them to purchase the garden materials they need so that their project is ready for spring .

    The residents are very excited about the project and can’t wait to get involved. The project will be teaching and encouraging residents to grow their own fruit and vegetables on their doorstep for them to enjoy, as well as create a wellbeing area in the garden for residents to socialise, relax and enjoy all year round.

    First group of Volunteers who signed up to support our project



    What their volunteers had to say……

    “We are looking forward to helping and supporting all involved, thank you ASE for this opportunity.”

    “We are very excited to be working with ASE to help residents building confidence and helping them to develop skills to succeed.”

    “I am looking forward to supporting residents to improve their mental health and wellbeing”.

    “We are looking forward to providing a safe, supportive place for residents to talk, interact and develop their skills and improve their wellbeing”.

    Poonam said….“I am delighted to be leading on such an important project to support local residents. Together through collaboration with residents, volunteers, staff, and funders, we can create a legacy that can be enjoyed by residents for years to come.”

    “On behalf of everyone involved in our project, we would like to express our gratitude to Citizen Housing Group for supporting our project and we look forward to updating everyone on our progress in the new year.”

  • Perfect Partnering with Hillz FM / WATCH Charity

    supporting image

    *Click the link above to see more photos


    When we received a Citizen Local Fund application from the Hillfields People Project, we were excited to find out more about the fantastic work they have been doing in their local community.

    As part of their application, the local Charity (located in the Hillfields area of Coventry) described the project as “ ..a person-centred bespoke programme of barrier breaking, life skills support, and advice and guidance activities for disadvantaged young people and adults living in Hillfields.”

    We were delighted to approve their application and become part of what has been &, continues to be, a very successful and invaluable project.

    Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the Hillz FM studio, to meet the students who successfully completed the ‘Introduction to Radio Broadcasting’ course.

    As it was their last day, there was a mixture of emotions. The students expressed the sadness of having to part with the friends they had just made but overall, they displayed extreme happiness to have experienced such a fantastic opportunity; with hopes of a bright future in radio! Judging by the feedback from the students, the project has been invaluable to each of them in their own individual way.

    The students accepted their certificates with great pride!


    https://www.hillzfm.co.uk/radiotraining/