Agenda item

To seek authority to invite Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations to apply to Bristol Impact Fund 3 (BIF 3) One City Many Communities, which will invest a total of £8.8m grant funding over four years (£2.2m per annum) from 1^st April 2026 to the 31^st March 2030 to build city resilience by growing the power of communities experiencing the greatest inequity.

That the Public Health and Communities Policy Committee:

1.      Approved the approach to funding for Bristol Impact Fund 3: One City, Many Communities - a total grants fund of £8.8m over four years from 1st April 2026 - 31st March 2030.

2.      Authorised the Executive Director for Adults and Communities and the Director for Public Health in consultation with the Chair of The Public Health and Communities Committee to take all steps required to invite VCSE organisations to apply to BIF 3 and to bring a further report relating to the allocation of medium and large grants to the PH&C Committee in November 2025 (TBC).

3.      Authorised the Executive Director of Adults and Communities and Director of Public Health in consultation with Chair of the Public Health and Communities Committee to award two rounds of small grants up to £200,000 over four years.

4.      Noted the learning from BIF 2 outlined in the interim evaluation report, which has informed the proposed approach to BIF 3.

5.      Noted the consultation report at Appendix F.

The Committee considered a report to seek authority to invite Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations to apply to Bristol Impact Fund 3 (BIF 3) One City Many Communities.

Summary of main points raised/noted in discussion of this item:

• Officers noted that the BIF 3 would invest a total of £8.8m grant funding over 4 years from 1^st April 2026 until 31^st March 2030.
• It was noted that BIF 3 had been shaped by ongoing learning and evaluation from the previous programmes, and that there had been ongoing engagement including 2 formal consultations.
• It was noted that if approved, the application process for large grants would open at the end of March with smaller grants commencing in the Autumn of 2025.
• Officers noted that the recommendations on the medium and large grants would be brought back to Committee in Autumn 2025.
• There was a discussion around the reach of the programme, particularly protected characteristic groups, and officers confirmed VCSE organisations were aware of the programme and that they would provide a series of briefings and press releases on the application process.
• There was a discussion around key lessons learned from previous programmes and officers advised that there was a particular focus on tackling hate crime this time around and would have a more proactive approach towards reaching those communities who face multiple barriers.

The Chair moved the recommendations as set out in the report. Cllr Clarke seconded the motion, and the Committee RESOLVED to;

1. Approve the approach to funding for Bristol Impact Fund 3: One City, Many Communities - a total grants fund of £8.8m over four years from 1st April 2026 - 31st March 2030.
2. Authorise the Executive Director for Adults and Communities and the Director for Public Health in consultation with the Chair of The Public Health and Communities Committee to take all steps required to invite VCSE organisations to apply to BIF 3 and to bring a further report relating to the allocation of medium and large grants to the PH&C Committee in November 2025 (TBC).
3. Authorise the Executive Director of Adults and Communities and Director of Public Health in consultation with Chair of the Public Health and Communities Committee to award two rounds of small grants up to £200,000 over four years.
4. Note the learning from BIF 2 outlined in the interim evaluation report, which has informed the proposed approach to BIF 3.
5.  Note the consultation report at Appendix F.