Turn your Big Local learning into action

Learning into Action grants

The Big Local North West Learning Programme, led by Voluntary Sector North West in partnership with Local Trust, brought people together to explore what more than 15 years of Big Local can teach us about community-led change.

Across five sessions, we explored what helps communities build power, shape decisions, develop local solutions and create lasting change.

Now we’re inviting people who took part in the programme to take that learning a step further.

The Learning into Action grants offer £500 to help participants develop an idea inspired by the programme and put it into practice.

We want to support practical ideas that put communities at the heart of change, building on local strengths, relationships and knowledge. You might want to try a new approach, bring people together around a shared issue or explore a different way of supporting residents to shape decisions and lead change in their own places.

Your idea doesn’t need to be big or fully developed. We want to hear about something practical you would like to try, test or develop using the learning from the programme.

How much can I apply for?

The grant available is £500. Your application should include a brief explanation of your idea and how you intend to use the funding. You don’t need to submit a lengthy project plan.

How to apply

Complete the online application form by Friday 30 October 2026. In your application, we’ll ask you to tell us about your idea, what you took from the Big Local North West Learning Programme that inspired it, the difference you hope it will make and how you plan to share what you learn.

Apply using online application

If you’d prefer to complete your application in Word, download the Word application form. Once you’ve completed the form, email it to info@vsnw.org.uk.

What happens next?

Successful applicants will be notified during the week commencing 23 November 2026.

The funded activity must be completed and the grant fully spent by 31 March 2027.

A short summary report must be submitted by 30 April 2027, sharing what you did, what you learned and what difference the activity made.

We want the grants to help turn the learning from the programme into practical action, while creating opportunities for others to learn from the ideas that are tested.