The Connecting Communities Plus scheme will replacing the existing Connecting Communities grants and is designed to support the delivery of the government’s strategy for race equality and community cohesion. The programme has three key strands:

• Connecting Communities Plus Strategic Grants, which will provide funding worth up to £150,000 a year to around 10 national organisations in order for them to build on their established track records in the areas of race and cohesion

• Connecting Communities Plus Project Grants, which will fund outcome-based projects at regional, local and neighbourhood level up to £100,000 a year to reduce inequalities and improve community cohesion

• Connecting Communities Plus Community Grants, a series of small flexible grants for community organisations.

Paul Goggins, charities minister, said: “I am confident this new grants programme will build on the good work already developed through the existing Connecting Communities scheme. We want to encourage many more in our communities to gain new skills and work on joint faith and community groups initiatives.”

More information on the grants and criteria can be found via www.a4e.co.uk/connectingcommunitiesplus