We are pleased to announce the Round 3 awardees of its Community Investment Fund, a programme designed not just to give grants, but to fuel local change. The current funding round of £200k backs four unique community-led projects that help people move closer to employment and realise their potential in new and creative ways.
Why the Community Investment Fund matters
Many people in East Central England face multiple obstacles to work, from lack of access to training, digital exclusion, caring responsibilities, and mental health challenges, to simply not knowing what help is available. AKG’s Community Investment Fund, funded by the DWP Restart Scheme, was established to address these gaps. It aims to listen to what local communities are saying, and asks what support is missing and what ideas might make a real difference?
The fund is rooted in evidence, looking at data, insight and lived experience so that the organisations supported are the ones best placed to understand local needs and scale what works. Rather than one-off help, it seeks sustainable change that helps people to take steps they might not have thought possible.
Meet the Round 3 Beneficiaries
Belina Grow – Grow Online A social enterprise dedicated to women furthest from the labour market, especially mothers and carers in Leicester. Belina Grow uses its award-winning Grow App, online training and local partners to remove barriers. With new funding, they will embed AI tools in their training to boost digital confidence, job readiness and nurture a supportive community network. Evaluation built in will capture lessons that can help shape future inclusion work.
Diverse FM – Pathway 2 Success With a blend of life coaching, skills training (for example IT, first aid, customer service), and creative experience via radio broadcasting, Pathway 2 Success gives people more than a CV. Over 12 weeks plus six months of mentoring, the programme builds confidence, practical skills, and a sense of direction, helping participants overcome barriers and find sustainable employment.
Everyone’s Gang – Breakout Mentoring & Resist School Prevention Everyone’s Gang works to prevent gang involvement and exploitation, especially where young people feel trapped or without safe choices. Their RESIST programme partners with schools to run workshops grounded in lived experience. BREAKOUT offers intensive one to one mentoring for those most at risk. Together, they provide consistency, emotional support, and practical strategies so young people can build safer, more hopeful futures.
Grantham Creates – Art and Growth Focused on unemployed people from working class backgrounds, those with mental health issues or neurodivergence, Art and Growth offers a year of professional development in the visual arts. Workshops, mentoring, practice, exhibition, plus business, marketing and portfolio training mean participants gain creative skills, confidence, and routes into employment, self-employment or further education.
These initiatives demonstrate how local, creative, flexible organisations who understand their communities can make the biggest difference. Through this round, AKG hopes to see real impact: people gaining confidence and skills, and moving towards purposeful work and careers.
“The Community Investment Fund was created to listen to local voices, invest in projects that truly reflect community needs, and encourage fresh approaches. These four initiatives standout for their creativity and the practical support they offer; we can’t wait to see the social impact they create.” – Joanne Van, Social Impact Manager.
“Through the Community Investment Fund, we’re not just investing in projects, we’re investing in people and the strength of their communities. These initiatives are proof that when communities lead, lasting change follows.” – Ayden Sims, Country Leader, AKG UK
To find out more about the Community Investment Fund, visit:
