Cambridge City Council has launched a new Resettlement Community Grant today (23 July), to help refugees with navigating life in Cambridge and feeling at home. This work supports the council’s vision of ‘One Cambridge, Fair for All’.

Community groups, small groups of residents and organisations supporting those seeking sanctuary will now be able to apply for a grant of up to £30,000 to deliver activities that will help those resettling to develop skills, join activities and connect with communities. Those that wish to apply for the grant can do so through the council’s brand new grants portal which will be the new hub for a number of grants managed by the council.

The new Resettlement Community Grant builds on the former ‘United with Ukraine’ grant, helping to expand on its success. The ‘United with Ukraine’ grant provided funding for local groups and charities to support refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine through the delivery of activities.

Since the grant first opened in 2022, the council distributed over £250,000. The money received from the government, specifically for people seeking sanctuary, helped to unlock additional opportunities and strengthen the voluntary and community sector in Cambridge. The new grant fund will extend that support to refugees from other countries, meaning this money can now reach even more people, helping to build systems that are more responsive and meet the needs of all residents seeking sanctuary.

Cllr Anna Smith, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “We are proud to announce a new grant that will support even more of the great work that our community and resident groups do.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe and welcome in Cambridge. Time and time again, we’ve seen how Cambridge residents come together to support each other during difficult times. It is not easy to settle into a new community far away from everything you know and love, and I want to thank everyone who provides support for those in need.

“The council is committed to working in partnership to build communities that are safe, welcoming, and resilient for everyone who call them home, and this grant is one way that we are able to contribute to this.”

The new fund is in line with the council’s pledge for 2025 to 2030 to work closely alongside local communities, agencies, and charities to provide services that foster a welcoming community, and supports the removal of any barriers to resettlement.

As a local authority, the council is dedicated to supporting all people in need. Helping people in need, whether they've lived in Cambridge for years or have just arrived, is about making sure everyone has a fair chance to live safely, take part in community life, and feel they belong.

Cambridge is a City of Sanctuary which is part of a wide UK network of people and organisations which seek to support people seeking sanctuary after being forced to leave their homes.