The programme, which will be managed via the Neighbourly platform, is open to applications from registered charities, community groups and community interest companies until 2 July 2021. RSA plans to send grants of up to £10,000 to successful applicants by the end of July 2021.
The news comes during Small Charities Week between 14 – 19 June, which celebrates the essential work of the UK’s small charity sector who make an invaluable contribution to the lives of millions of individuals, communities and causes across the UK and the rest of the world.
'We want to support charities who are playing a critical role in their communities'
To secure a grant, charities will need to demonstrate their projects share RSA’s ambition to improve risk education for road, home, cycle and online safety, as well as child safety, ideally driving behaviour change. It is also open to charities with programmes that are tackling climate change, conservation and offsetting carbon emissions.
Applicants must be based in the UK or the Republic of Ireland (including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man), and RSA is looking to support projects that will be completed within six months of receiving the grant.
Details on how to apply and the full entry criteria are available online here: RSA Climate Change and Education Grants | Neighbourly.
Laura Spiers, Head of Corporate Responsibility at RSA, said: “It’s been a tough year for charities, particularly small local causes, and we hope our new grant programme helps provide them with some of the investment they need to further build on the excellent work they do.
“Through the programme, we want to support charities who are playing a critical role in their communities. With RSA being one of the largest insurers in the UK, tackling climate change and helping people manage their risks in areas like road safety are hugely important to us and the work of innovative local charities can really help to move the dial. We look forward to reviewing applications after the window closes on 2 July.”
Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly, said: “If we really want to build back better, local action built on local insights must come first – never has there been a greater need to respect and respond to the ingenuity and expertise of local charities and community groups. The UK faces major societal and environmental challenges, and small charities must be supported to ensure that communities not only survive but thrive.
'Small charities have been the backbone of our communities throughout the pandemic – and they will help to shape our recovery, as well as having a vital role in combatting the climate crisis as we head towards the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals. We hope RSA’s new grant programme can help to enable and inspire small charities to continue their brilliant work.”