Community Awards

The LEAP Community Awards scheme is intended to support the development of parent and community-led groups/activities for local families with children aged up to their fourth birthday.

The Community Awards scheme aims to create a network of locally-led early years activities and projects. Funded groups/activities must: 

• Be for families living in the LEAP wards with a child aged up to their fourth birthday. 

• Be led by a group of LEAP parents or members of the wider LEAP community. 

• Contribute to improving the diet and nutrition, social and emotional development, or communication and language of young children. 

• Include plans for sustainability beyond the funding period. 

• Be free for all participants. 

Awards will be made at either £500, £1,000, or £2,000.

There are two stages to the application process. 

1. Applicants should complete a simple LEAP Community Awards application form. Before they are submitted, forms should be taken to local Early Years Forums for wider input and advice.  

2. Forms will be assessed by the LEAP Community Awards Panel, comprised of parents, LEAP core team staff, our Community Awards delivery partner Groundwork London, local Voluntary and Community Sector organisations, and local children’s centres.

The LEAP Community Awards scheme has a rolling application process so you can apply at any time. Our Community Awards Panel meets every couple of months to consider applications and make awards. Successful groups receive support to develop and implement their projects. 

Unsuccessful applicants get feedback on how they might strengthen their application and apply again. 

Successful applicants will be given the option of project management support to help them smoothly launch the project and for any wider questions.

So far, seven projects have been funded via the LEAP Community Awards.