Sport England has invested over £4 million in initiatives aimed at reducing inequalities in access to sport and physical activity. This funding was distributed through a one-off pilot fund, open for six weeks in December 2023 and January 2024. The fund focused on increasing activity and decreasing inactivity among disadvantaged groups.
There are 18 awards available ranging between £174,669 to £250,000 per project, with a total of £4,200,164 from the National Lottery. The fund was open to over 60 organisations whose funding needs fell between large-scale system partners and small-scale grant recipients.
The funding aimed to offer those with lived experiences of people facing inequalities. For the proposal to be successful, it had to benefit multiple disadvantaged groups.
The funded projects covered a range of activities including:
- 10 projects focused on general physical activities, including indoor and outdoor activities, walking, and yoga
- 7 projects centred on traditional sports, such as rugby, football, swimming, running, cycling, and ice skating
- 1 project provided both traditional sports and general physical activities
This pilot fund served as a testing ground for new funding approaches and work methods, preceding the launch of Sport England’s Movement Fund in April. Phil Smith, Executive Director of Partnerships at Sport England, emphasised that tackling inequalities in access to an active lifestyle remains a priority for the organisation.
To find out more, see here.
