External Funding support in Sunderland

The Council and local organisations, such as the university, college, the voluntary and community sector, social housing landlords, health organisations, businesses, cultural partners, and training organisations, secure millions of pounds of funding every year for projects and investments which support the city's development.

This includes funding from a wide range of sources and programmes funded by the government and other agencies such as.

• UK government departments:

- Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

- Department for Education Department for Education - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

- Department for Energy Security & Net Zero Department for Energy Security and Net Zero - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

- Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

- Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

- Department for Science, Innovation & Technology Department for Science, Innovation and Technology - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

- Department for Transport Department for Transport - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

- Department for Work & Pensions Department for Work and Pensions - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

- Home Office Home Office - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

• Arts Council England Homepage (artscouncil.org.uk)
• Education and Skills Funding Agency Education and Skills Funding Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• Innovate UK Innovate UK - UKRI
• Local Government Association Home | Local Government Association
• National Lottery Community Fund Home | The National Lottery Community Fund (tnlcommunityfund.org.uk)
• National Lottery Heritage Fund Welcome | The National Lottery Heritage Fund
• Sport England Home | Uniting | The | Movement | Sport England
• Trusts and Foundations
• UK Research and Innovation UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

The coordination of external funding within the Council is led by the External Funding team in the Finance Directorate. The team provides support and advice to the Council and local organisations on funding opportunities available from UK, regional and local funding sources.

The work of the team involves:

• Securing, managing and monitoring funds secured by the Council and its delivery partners.
• Advising Council Directorates and local organisations on external funding opportunities where appropriate.
• Supporting Council Directorates with project development and the application process to ensure timely bid submission.
• Supporting local organisations with information, advice and guidance on project development, delivery and monitoring.

In addition to the above sources, a diverse range of funding opportunities are also available to other public organisations, businesses and organisations in the voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors.

Further information and advice for Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations in particular is also available from:

• Sunderland Voluntary Sector Alliance About us - Sunderland Voluntary Sector Alliance (sunderlandvsa.co.uk)
• Voluntary Organisations Network North East (VONNE) Voluntary Organisations' Network North East - Strengthening the sector. Sharing Knowledge. Supporting you. (vonne.org.uk)
• Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland Helping Charities in the North East | Community Foundation
• Funding Central Welcome | My Funding Central

Who to contact for further information:

External Funding Team (Commercial Advice)

For more information or advice on external funding, including local organisations that are developing projects or applying for funds, please email:

external.funding@sunderland.gov.uk (for general enquiries)

ukspf@sunderland.gov.uk (for UKSPF specific enquiries)