WEA (Workers Educational Association) and GMCA (Greater Manchester Combined Authority) are pleased to launch a small open funding. This will enable local VCSE organisations and Housing Associations to bid for funding to carry out projects in localities, to mobilise disadvantaged or excluded unemployed and inactive people to enable their progress towards further education and inclusive employment. Please refer to the list below of GM borough's project funding caps for which you wish to apply for.
This is strand one, which aims to increase participation in Adult Skills.
Currently, in Greater Manchester, just 8.7% of working-age adults with a prior attainment of Level 1 or below are accessing skills via the Adult Education Budget. We are looking for new and innovative ways of engaging with our residents, and supporting them in further skills provision – although targeting English, Maths and IT skills this could be any Skills provision, except ESOL, that suits the resident’s needs.
Please complete the short form - if you are eligible, you will be emailed the application form, guidance document and our FAQ document, so please be sure to use a valid email address. If you are not eligible this time, you can complete the short form here and we will keep your email on file for future funding rounds.
All eligibility criteria must be met to apply for a GMCA grant: if you are unable to meet the criteria, you will not be able to apply and any application you do make will be rejected.
Strand 1 - Maximum Project Application Funding Caps
Bolton - £40k cap
Oldham - £50k cap
Rochdale - £10k cap
Salford - £50k cap
Tameside - Remaining funding is £31,256.26. No cap
Trafford - £40k cap
Bury - no funding available
Stockport - no funding available
Wigan – no funding available
If you have any questions or need further information, please contact us at [email protected].
The application deadline is 5pm on Friday 13th June 2025.
