Community organisations across England were invited on 14 September 2026 to apply for the second round of the Common Ground Award, a competitive grant fund providing up to £2.5 million in capital investment. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said individual voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations could bid for between £20,000 and £50,000, and up to £100,000 in exceptional cases with clear evidence of need and significant expected impact. Consortium applications could seek between £100,000 and £250,000.

Applications opened on 14 September 2026 and were set to close on 12 October 2026. Successful applicants were expected to be notified in December 2026, with payments likely in January 2027. The fund supports capital costs such as construction or renovation of facilities, spaces and equipment that help bring people from different backgrounds together.

The department said 211 projects across England had already been backed. Minister for Communities Florence Eshalomi said the funding had strengthened connections, from community cafés and sports clubs to pop-up living rooms. Phase 1 recipients included Accrington Stanley Football in the Community, which received £28,472 for a community minibus in Hyndburn and East Lancashire, and Footprints in the Community, which received £9,559 to improve its Community Café in Redcar and Cleveland.