£15,000 community fund will support projects helping residents facing homelessness,
improving safety for women and girls, and creating opportunities for young people
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) and Croydon Voluntary Action (CVA) have announced the successful
recipients of the 2026 Croydon Community Grant Fund, with 15 grassroots organisations awarded funding
to deliver projects that will make a tangible difference to communities across the borough.
Representing a total investment of £15,000, the successful organisations will each receive grants of up to
£1,000 to develop or expand initiatives focused on youth engagement, homelessness and support for those in
temporary accommodation, and improving safety and security for women and girls.
The programme launches on 21 September and will run through to January 2027, supporting a wide range of
community-led projects designed to address local needs and strengthen communities.
The successful projects reflect the diversity and strength of Croydon’s voluntary and community sector, ranging
from housing advice and wellbeing support to mentoring, creative programmes, sports activities and
community safety initiatives.
Among the recipients is Keep it Moving, which will deliver housing workshops for 100 young care leavers,
refugees and asylum seekers, helping them understand the UK housing system and access and sustain social
housing.
Amanah Health and Wellbeing will provide safety masterclasses for women from ethnic minority
communities, while Bridging Boundaries will deliver self-defence workshops for women and girls. PTP Usemi
will run an art therapy programme supporting marginalised women and focusing on physical, emotional and
sexual safety.
The largest group of successful projects focus on youth engagement. Activities will include youth safety and
bleed-control training, boxing and mentoring, environmental initiatives, practical cooking, storytelling, music,
visual arts and creative enterprise opportunities.
Projects will be delivered across Croydon, including South Norwood, Sanderstead and South Croydon. Pop Up
Top Up will also host a two-day Creative Enterprise Day for teenage girls at the Creative Enterprise Zone in
Centrale Shopping Centre during the October half-term.
In addition to funding, successful organisations will have access to specialist support from URW teams across
areas including marketing, finance, legal and health and safety.
The Community Grant Fund forms part of a wider, long-term approach to community investment.
Organisations supported through the 2026 programme will also have the opportunity to apply for additional
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funding of up to £5,000 in 2027 to help grow and scale projects that demonstrate positive impact.
Katie Wyle, Managing Director, Customer & Retail Operations, Northern Europe at URW, said: “The quality
and diversity of applications this year reflects the strength of Croydon’s voluntary and community sector. We’re
proud to support organisations delivering projects that will provide practical help for residents, help women
and girls feel safer, and create positive opportunities for young people”
“Working alongside CVA, we look forward to seeing the difference these projects make in communities across
the borough.”
Sarah Burns, Group Chief Executive Officer for Croydon Voluntary Action, said: “These projects demonstrate
the creativity, commitment and community knowledge that exists across Croydon’s voluntary sector. From
supporting people in temporary accommodation to empowering young people and improving safety for women
and girls, the successful organisations are responding directly to local needs and priorities.”
“We look forward to working with the funded organisations and URW as these projects move into delivery and
begin making a difference in communities across Croydon.”
URW and CVA will continue to work together throughout the programme, supporting organisations as they
deliver their projects and helping to strengthen the long-term resilience of Croydon’s voluntary and community
