Charities supporting survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence and are led by disabled people, LGBTQ+ communities and groups facing racial inequality are being urged to apply for a £1.7m fund to improve their digital capacity.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Specialist Fund is being delivered by Comic Relief and is offering grants of between £5,00 and £70,000.
Comic Relief expects to make up to 25 awards to charities in England and Wales with an income of between £75,000 and £10m.
Funding will be handed out by the end of September and will run for six months.
The closing date for applications is 20 July.
Funding is expected to cover digital support costs, including hardware and software to improve their online and remote services.
Successful applicants will also receive digital and technical coaching support.
📢 Applications are now open for Comic Relief and @MoJGovUK's new £2m tech fund!
— Comic Relief (@comicrelief) June 22, 2021
Are you an org led by and for survivors of domestic abuse and violence from LGBTQ+ and disabled communities, or communities facing racial inequality?
We want you to apply 👉 https://t.co/sLRJgIhhOx pic.twitter.com/njbdqHbgPW
The funding is part of a £40m package of funding announced by the MoJ in February to support specialist help for survivors of rape and domestic abuse.
In announcing the funding safeguarding minister Victoria Atkins said: “Sexual violence can devastate lives and it is important that people are aware that if they or somebody they know is suffering from this, they can leave their home to access support services.”
Earlier this month Comic Relief and Paul Hamlyn Foundation awarded £1.3m in digital development fund grants to 20 charities.
Foundation chief executive Moira Sinclair said: “Over the last year, so many organisations have transformed the way they work to continue to provide vital support amidst unprecedented challenges. As we begin to think about building back, digital development has a critical role to play.”
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