Applications open for Windrush Day 2027 grants
Applications open for Windrush Day 2027 grants of up to £25,000 to celebrate and preserve the legacy of the Windrush Generation
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is offering grants of £5,000 to £25,000 to support creative and ambitious projects marking Windrush Day 2027.
The Windrush Day Grant Scheme 2027, administered by Near Neighbours, aims to bring communities together to celebrate the contributions of the Windrush Generation and their descendants, and to make sure their stories are passed on to the next generation.
Grants are open to registered charities, community interest companies and other not-for-profit community organisations in England, as well as local authorities working in partnership with community groups, to deliver events and activities between 8th June and 31st July 2027, including on Windrush Day (22nd June).
Projects must focus on one of the following aims.
Raise awareness: of the historical facts and experiences of the Windrush story. This includes the pioneers who arrived on the MV Empire Windrush in 1948, and those who came on vessels and aircraft in the decades after WW2.
Foster pride: To foster a greater sense of pride and recognition of the historic and ongoing contributions made by the Windrush generation and their descendants to UK society. To proactively support and encourage people from different backgrounds to embrace, celebrate and commemorate this aspect of our shared history.
Encourage and inspire the descendants of Windrush Generation to become young leaders, pursue their aspirations and contribute to the shared values of UK society.
Projects must be designed with or by the Windrush community and have a positive social impact.
Last year, 33 projects across England were funded, ranging from the Windrush Islands Table Tennis Championship in the West Midlands to Under A Gracious Sun, an operatic journey in London. They also included Windrush: Hear us Sing, in which children at St John the Divine in Kennington, London, performed songs created from their elders’ memories of arriving in Britain in the 1950s, and Letters, Promises and Belonging: The Children of Windrush, from Sudden Productions, which brought older participants’ stories to young people on Windrush Day and in secondary schools. Grants in 2027 will help more communities preserve and share the stories of the Windrush Generation.
Edward Picton-Turbervill, Youth Music Coordinator, St John the Divine, who received a grant in 2026, said:
The grant from Near Neighbours enabled us to create a set of songs for the children of the parish, using interviews with our Windrush elders describing their experience of arriving in Britain in the 50s. The children performed so joyfully to an absolutely packed church, and it is amazing to think that the elders’ testimonies are now preserved in this format. None of this would have been possible without the grant, and we hope to perform the piece elsewhere in the future.
Carole Le Foll, Project Director, Sudden Productions, another 2026 grantee, said:
Letters, Promises and Belonging: The Children of Windrush gave our older participants a space to share stories that had often remained unheard — of families separated between Jamaica and Britain, growing up without grandparents, and facing discrimination. Yet these stories are also ones of remarkable resilience: of a generation that rose above hardship, built new lives, held on to its dignity and kept its sense of hope and uplifting spirit. Sharing these memories with young people … created a powerful connection between generations and helped ensure their stories are not forgotten.
Adam Edwards, Deputy CEO at Church Urban Fund, added:
A shared sense of belonging grows when we understand where we have come from, and the Windrush generation helped shape the Britain we know today. Windrush Day projects turn that history into something communities can explore, learn from and celebrate together. It is a real pleasure for Church Urban Fund, through our Near Neighbours programme, to support this work.
Information on full eligibility criteria, workshops for applicants and the application process can be found on the Church Urban Fund website: https://cuf.org.uk/take-
Visit GOV.UK for a list of projects funded in 2026: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/windrush-day-grant-scheme-2026-projects-to-be-funded
Applications are now open. Visit our website to apply before 23:59, 29 October 2026
Images available at CUF photo library:https://cufphotog.dash.app/sharing/type/collection/tczij-lm-windrush-day-grant-scheme-oct26
About Church Urban Fund
Church Urban Fund (CUF) helps churches and community groups get people together to build stronger relationships, with God and each other. We tackle complex challenges like poverty and exclusion across England by giving people, churches, and whole communities the tools they need to tackle urgent local issues, provide life-changing support and raise money.
We understand that local people know their neighbourhoods best, so we make sure local skills and knowledge are championed and valued in everything we do. Our free resources can help you grow in knowledge, confidence and relationships. Whether you’re planning a new project or looking for local data to guide your response to challenges, these practical tools will support you every step of the way.
About Near Neighbours
CUF’s Near Neighbours programme brings people together in communities that are religiously and ethnically diverse so that they can get to know each other better, build relationships of trust, and collaborate together on initiatives that improve where they live.
About Windrush Day Grant Scheme:
Established in 2018, Windrush Day (22 June) celebrates the contributions of the Windrush Generation and their descendants. Government funding to date: £5.25m, including £4.25m for 301 projects and £1m for the National Windrush Monument.
For more information on the Windrush Generation, the Windrush Monument, and educational resources for schools, including lesson plans, case studies and videos, see the National Windrush Monument website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-national-windrush-monument
