First £60 million of National Lottery money awarded to support communities tackling inequality
12 June 2026
The National Lottery Community Fund has awarded almost £60 million in funding to 13 organisations across England working to tackle the root causes of poverty, disadvantage and discrimination in communities for up to ten years.
The Solidarity Fund, which launched in 2025, is the latest commitment by the UK’s largest community funder to address inequity and inequality - targeting communities where people feel least listened to and in control.
One of the organisations receiving funding from the Solidarity Fund is The Black South West Network (BSWN) based in Bristol. They are using £5 million over ten years to support Black and racially minoritised communities to better influence the systems and policies that affect people's lives.
BSWN has a long track record of supporting community-led change across the South West, and we know that tackling racial inequality requires sustained, long term investment. This funding is significant – not only for BSWN, but for the communities and organisations we work alongside. “Support from The National Lottery Community Fund through The Solidarity Fund demonstrates a commitment to addressing inequality and backing community led solutions. We are committed to making the most of this opportunity, and to being accountable, not just to The National Lottery Community Fund, but to the communities whose futures this work is in service of.
Sado Jirde - CEO of BSWN
The Solidarity Fund is specifically designed for organisations striving to combat entrenched social problems - led by people and communities with lived experience of these issues.
By offering a small number of large, long-term grants up to ten years, The National Lottery Community Fund hopes to go beyond short-term fixes by giving organisations the financial stability to further build on their work in communities - treating not just the symptoms but the sources of the issues they face.
Another organisation receiving funding is The Economic Change Unit. They are using almost £5 million over eight years to create a powerful, inclusive and national movement to positively shape the economy. This will include a learning network and support for organisations to build power and increase accountability, by centring on the voices of people directly experiencing poverty.
If we have any hope of changing our economic system to address the root causes of poverty and inequality, we need people to be able to advocate for and be part of those changes themselves. “To build those relationships and shared goals, to build people’s confidence and leadership, it takes a really long time. The longevity and security of this funding transforms the way we can work with people and what we can achieve together.
Adina Claire - Interim Executive Director, at the Economic Change Unit
Thanks to National Lottery players, in 2024 to 2025, more than half of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund went to areas experiencing the highest levels of poverty and disadvantage.
The announcement of the Solidarity Fund is among a series of significant long-term investments into building community power and making England a more equitable place. These focus on communities whose voices and participation are often overlooked – those that feel the least listened to.
When we created our strategy, we said we wanted to prioritise communities who are the least supported and least heard. We promised to put agency, power, and control at the heart of our funding in England. The Solidarity Fund puts that commitment into practice. “Lasting change doesn’t happen in a year or two. It takes time to build confidence, leadership, relationships and influence. That’s why we’re making long-term investments in organisations rooted in communities and led by people with lived experience. “This is about more than funding projects. It’s about funding community power – helping people shape the decisions, systems and institutions that affect their lives. Together, we can build a strong, fair, and more inclusive society.
David Knott - Chief Executive of The National Lottery Community Fund
Projects receiving funding from The Solidarity Fund, announced in June 2026:
Citizens UK Charity - £4,999,200
Black South West Network - £5,000,000
Coffee Afrik CIC - £4,700,000
Himmah - £4,999,597
Middleton Co-operating Limited - £4,473,010
Strategy and Communications Group Limited (The Economic Change Unit) - £4,958,748
London Renters Union Limited - £4,533,450
Public Law Project - £3,591,250
The Institute of Race Relations - £4,986,650
The Runnymede Trust - £4,995,985
Friends of the Earth Charitable Trust - £4,996,539
The Advocacy Academy - £5,000,000
Stir to Action Ltd - £2,761,175
Total funding awarded - £59,995,604
For more information visit the Solidarity Fund web page.