Community Radio Fund Reopens for Emergency Funding Applications

Emergency funding for community radio stations that are struggling financially due to the coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak and who are unlikely to continue operation without the funding.

The Community Radio Fund is managed by Ofcom with funding from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). It has been running since 2005.

Ofcom-licensed community radio stations in England and Wales that are facing severe financial difficulty due to the coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak can apply now for emergency cash funding to help with their core costs.

This special third round will provide a total of £200,000 with grants of up to £7,500 available to support community radio stations which are taking steps to combat isolation and loneliness within their communities.

Grants will be made as a single lump sum and are to cover a one-year period only for analogue community radio services that are currently broadcasting.

Applicants that have already received funding from any of the £750 million Covid-19 Charities Package, including through other government departments, the Community Match Challenge, the Covid-19 Community Support Fund or the Big Night In, will not be eligible to receive this funding.

Applicants must be on air by 31 January 2021 in order to be considered for the funding.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on 14 January 2021.

For more information visit https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/information-for-industry/radio-broadcasters/community-radio-fund