About the Fund
Our Access Without Limits Community Funding is now open for applications until January 2026. Grant funding of up to £10,250 is available for eligible community and voluntary organisations to set up and deliver the DofE, as well as the enrolment costs for young people taking part.
They not only offer grant funding but support organisations every step of the way. This includes training for your staff and volunteers, a dedicated member of our staff working collaboratively to support everything from training, mentoring, reporting and monitoring the progress of young people on their DofE journey.
Eligibility
Applicants must be a Voluntary and Community organisation (VCO) that fits into either of the following criteria:
1. Delivery location is in a top 20% area of deprivation (IMD 2 or below)
2. Organisations where the majority of their young people are from one or more of the following marginalised groups:
- Those who have additional needs
- Those who are deemed ‘at risk’*
- Those who receive Free School Meals (FSM)
- Those who are eligible for Pupil Premium (PP), Pupil Equity Funding or the 16- 19 Bursary.
- Young people at risk of exclusion from education
- Those who are looked after or in care.
- Young people who are responsible for caring for someone else
- Parents under the age of 18
- Young people whose first language is not English, Welsh or Gaelic
- Asylum seekers
- Refugees
- Young people in custody
*By ‘At risk’ we mean any young person who may be vulnerable due to, for example, their age, mental health, disability, illness, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, economic status or who may be unable to protect themselves from abuse.
Grant Details
Grants of up to £10,250 are available to help Voluntary and Community Organisations set up and support their young people to take part in the
DofE.The funding can be tailored to the organisation’s needs, with most of the funding for year one to establish the project.
Examples of what could be included in the funding package are:
- A contribution to the DofE Licence Fee or Operating Authority fee.
- Participation places for young people to enrol on the DofE.
- Training bursaries for adult leaders – such as National Governing Body Qualifications that relate to DofE delivery.
- Participant bursaries for one-off Approved Activity Provider (AAP) costs, relating to the Expedition section.
- Equipment for the expedition, or other sectional activities.
- Staffing costs (up to 1/3 of the total grant)
How to apply
The application process consists of:
- Contact your local DofE Operations Officer to express interest and confirm early eligibility.
- Complete the DofE licence due diligence process.
- Obtain a DofE licence for your organisation.
- Complete the grant application form with support from the Operations Officer.
- Submit the application alongside required documentation and agree to terms & conditions.
- Await review and decision notification by email.
- If successful, use the grant as agreed and retain receipts/invoices.
- Submit interim and final reports by agreed deadlines describing outcomes and financial spend.
Find out more Visit the funders website
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