Microgrants for Grassroots Interfaith Projects
Got an idea that could connect people across faiths, beliefs and communities?
Overview
For Inter Faith Week 2026 (8 – 15 November), the National Steering Group is pleased to be offering small grants to help bring people together through creative, meaningful and community-led projects, activities and events.
Whether it’s a shared meal, peace walk, workshop, panel discussion or social action project, we want to support local interfaith groups, community organisations, youth groups, schools and workplaces to run projects that create connection and understanding.
Background
Inter Faith Week is an annual initiative held each November that has been running in England since 2009. It aims to strengthen interfaith relations, increase awareness of the diversity and contributions of faith communities across the UK, and foster understanding between people of different religious and non-religious beliefs.
Since 2024, Inter Faith Week has been coordinated by a National Steering Group comprising several regional and national interfaith organisations, led by the Faith & Belief Forum and the United Religions Initiative UK. Work has been supported by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
IFW 2026 delivery will focus on engaging new audiences, in light of the ‘Bursting the Bubble: Recommendations for enhancing Inter Faith Week in England’ report. The theme for 2026 is ‘Lighting the Way for a Shared Future’. Inspired by the symbolism of light across faiths and traditions, including the spirit of Diwali (taking place on the first day of IFW), the theme reflects a shared belief that even in challenging times, communities can come together to build understanding, trust and friendships.
Funding Available
We are offering the following two grants:
10 grants of £250, perfect for first-time Inter Faith Week projects, small community events and local grassroots initiatives
10 grants of £500, for larger projects, activities or events reaching wider audiences, collaborative partnerships, regional launch events or flagship activities
Who Can Apply?
We welcome applications from:
Organisations or groups running an Inter Faith Week event for the first time
Local interfaith groups
Community organisations
Schools and colleges
SACREs
Universities (including chaplaincies and university societies)
Youth groups
Workplaces
Your organisation/group must:
Have been operating for at least one year
Have a registered bank account that you can receive the grant to
Propose an activity with a clear interfaith focus
Demonstrate that funding is needed to make the project happen or to increase the inclusivity, accessibility, or reach of an existing initiative
What Kind of Projects Can Be Funded?
We’re looking for engaging projects that bring people together across faiths and beliefs.
Examples include:
Interfaith coffee mornings
Shared meals or community dinners
Faith tours and visits
Peace walks
Panel discussions
Creative workshops
Local social action initiatives
Youth-led initiatives
School assemblies, lessons, or community engagement events
We’re especially interested in projects that:
Reach new audiences and communities not previously involved in Inter Faith Week
Take place in regions that have seen comparatively lower levels of Inter Faith Week activity in recent years
Involve collaboration and/or partnership between different faiths, beliefs, or community groups
Engage outside traditional interfaith networks, including with young people, workplaces, or local community organisations
Offer new, innovative or creative ways of imagining interfaith engagement or education
Application and Judging Process
We know that small organisations and groups are busy. The application form is designed to be quick and simple.
The application form will ask you to outline the activity, how you will use the budget, why the project is needed, and its expected impact. It will also ask you to provide a referee we can contact to verify your work. Referees must not be someone who is paid by or volunteers with the organisation/group, or involved in the delivery of proposed work, but must be familiar with the work of the organisation/group and a different person from whoever is making the application.
Applications will be open from Friday 3 July to Sunday 2 August.
The National Steering Group will judge applications based on their quality, need and impact. The National Steering Group will also conduct due diligence checks, including contacting the referee and reviewing news outlets and social media.
Awarded Projects
Alongside funding, awarded projects will receive:
National recognition through Inter Faith Week social media
Support from the IFW Project Manager, Community Engagement Lead, Schools and Colleges Engagement Lead, and interns
Inter Faith Week branding and promotional materials
A resource pack
An invitation to the Inter Faith Week National Launch Event
Awarded projects will be expected to provide a short report that includes key participation numbers, photos, quotes, and key learnings from the activity. These will help showcase the impact of grassroots interfaith work across the UK.
Ready to Apply?
Apply now via the application form: https://faithbeliefforum.org/inter-faith-week-2026-microgrant-scheme/
If you have questions or need help with your application, please contact the IFW Team by emailing contact@interfaithweek.org
Click to review the Inter Faith Week Microgrant Scheme Terms, Conditions and Rules