The first round of the Community Radio Fund 2022-23 opened for applications from eligible stations on Tuesday 10 May 2022 and will close at 5pm on Friday 10 June 2022. The total amount available over the course of 2022-23 is £393,816, due to a small overallocation of funding in 2021-22 Read more +
Posts Tagged: Funding
Community Radio Fund: Award of Grants 2021-22, Round 2
Ofcom’s Community Radio Fund Panel (‘the Panel’) met on Friday 4 February 2022 to consider applications in the second round of funding for the 2021-22 financial year. The Panel considered each application and awarded funding based on the information provided and with reference to the Community Radio Fund (‘the Fund’) guidance notes. For Read more +
Statement from the CMA on the Audio Content Fund
The Community Media Association (CMA) is obviously disappointed to learn the news that the Audio Content Fund pilot phase is to end. The Audio Content Fund (ACF) has provided great opportunities in linking community radio broadcasters with independent radio producers to make high-quality public service content that would have had Read more +
CMA launches new ‘CRF Assistance’ service
The Community Media Association has launched CRF Assistance, a free service to help up to 15 CMA members apply to Ofcom’s Community Radio Fund (CRF). Drawing on 15 years of experience of being a CRF Panel member, CMA Treasurer Richard Hilton will initially offer at least an hour’s free one-to-one Read more +
Applications open for Community Radio Fund 2021-22 – Round 1
Applications have opened for Ofcom-licensed community radio stations to apply for Government funding to help them meet their core costs. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport has provided £400,000 in grants for the 2021-22 financial year, and Ofcom is responsible for administering the Fund. In 2020-21, grants were Read more +
2021 / 2022 Community Radio Fund Survey
The Community Radio Fund, administered by Ofcom, typically offers two rounds of funding. The CMA would like to know if you would prefer the first round to be emergency funding, such as we had last year, or should the Fund return to its usual purpose to help develop and sustain Read more +
Fifty-three community radio stations to receive emergency funding
Ofcom has announced that 53 community radio stations will receive emergency funding through the Community Radio Fund. During the Covid-19 pandemic, community radio stations have provided valuable local news and support to millions of people. However, many have also faced severe financial challenges. In response, the UK Government announced emergency Read more +
Thirty-one community radio stations to receive emergency funding
Ofcom has announced that 31 community radio stations will receive emergency funding through the Community Radio Fund. During the Covid-19 pandemic, community radio stations have provided valuable local news and support to millions of people. However, many have also faced severe financial challenges. In response, the UK government announced emergency Read more +
Community Radio Fund Survey
The Community Media Association is surveying community radio stations that have previously received a grant from the Community Radio Fund with a view to providing positive evidence to support an increase in funding for the sector. Survey data may be shared with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport. Read more +
Award of grants 2020-21 Round 1
During the current public health crisis, community radio can provide a reassuring local voice to millions of people. However, many community stations are facing significant financial challenges as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. In response, the government announced £400,000 of emergency funding to help stations meet the core costs Read more +
Community Media News Issue #19
It’s been a very busy month, and in this edition of Community Media News we report on the DCMS response to the industry consultation on the development of Small Scale Digital Audio Broadcasting. We also share news of events across the UK, Mapping Community Media, Rethinking Digital Inclusion and discounted tickets for RadioTechCon. There is news from Awaz Read more +
Advice for Community Radio Fund Applicants
Ofcom has published guidance to help stations which intend to apply for Community Radio Fund grants. The guidance sets out the information that the awarding panel is likely to look for when considering grant applications. The second round of the Community Radio Fund 2018-19 opened for applications from eligible stations Read more +
Community Media Connects launches across England
Community Media Connects, a new initiative from the Community Media Association (CMA), will launch this Autumn to develop the sustainability of community media organisations in England. The project will encourage community media leaders to form valuable professional connections and offer each other ongoing mutual advice and support. Organisations based in Read more +
Community Radio Station Supporters’ Scheme Survey
The Community Media Association is conducting a quick survey into the relative value of different sources of income, other than grants and contracts, for community radio stations. We are particularly interested in supporters’ subscription schemes, ‘friends of’ arrangements and paid memberships. Only Q1 is compulsory and you are free to Read more +
Community Radio Fund: Award of grants 2016/17 Round 2
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) confirmed a total of £392,500 was available for the Community Radio Fund for 2016/17. The amount awarded in the first round of grants was £201,365, leaving £191,135 for the second round of funding. Ofcom’s Community Radio Fund Panel (‘the Panel’) met on Read more +
Community Radio Fund Round 1, 2016-to-2017
Ofcom has announced that the Community Radio Fund 2016 – 2017 has opened for applications. Funding is available to not-for-profit radio stations that have a social purpose, and work to involve their target community in running the service. Funding will be available to Community Radio Stations towards their core running costs. Read more +
Community Media Survey 2016
The CMA is delighted to have received so many responses to the Community Media Sector Survey 2016. Our thanks go out to over 100 organisations who took the time to complete the survey and share details about how they operate. The responses will help the CMA to support its members Read more +
Soundart Radio up for The People’s Projects Lottery TV Vote
“We are delighted that our project, Feeling Sound has been shortlisted as one of the People’s Projects for our region” writes Lucinda Guy of Soundart Radio. Feeling Sound is just one of five selected projects who may receive up to £50,000 of funding from the Big Lottery. It’s up to everyone Read more +
Penistone FM 95.7 up for The People’s Projects Lottery TV Vote
Penistone FM and their training project “Evolve” is one of only five groups in South Yorkshire that have been shortlisted to compete for the public vote and up to £50,000 of Big Lottery cash in ITV’s The Peoples Projects TV competition. Penistone FM will make a bid for viewers support Read more +
The Radio Hub
A new networking group is to launch early in 2016 covering the south east and London. The Radio Hub will provide opportunities for networking and sharing best practice as well as representing the interests of community radio with key organisations. The idea is the brainchild of Danny Lawrence BEM who Read more +
Community Radio Fund: award of grants for 2015/16 Round 1
Ofcom’s Community Radio Fund Panel met on Tuesday 23 June 2015 to consider applications in the first round of grant awards for 2015/16. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) confirmed the total of £377,000 for the Community Radio Fund for 2015. The amount awarded in this first round Read more +
Community Radio Fund Round 1, 2015-2016
The first round for funding applications to the Community Radio Fund in 2015/16 will open on Wednesday 8 April and will close at 5pm on Wednesday 6 May 2015. The awarding Panel will meet in June 2015 to consider the applications. Grants can only be made to community radio licensees Read more +
Community Radio Fund: award of grants for 2014/15 Round 2
Ofcom’s Community Radio Fund Panel met on Tuesday 13 January 2015 to consider applications in the second round of grant awards for 2014/15. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) confirmed the total of £393,000 for the Community Radio Fund for 2014/15. The amount spent in the first round Read more +
Community Radio Fund Round 1, 2014-2015
The first round for funding applications to the Community Radio Fund in 2014/15 will open on Wednesday 9 April and will close at 5pm on Wednesday 7 May 2014. The awarding Panel will meet in June 2014 to consider the applications. Grants can only be made to community radio licensees Read more +
Ofcom Community Radio Fund Round 2: 2013-2014
The second round for funding applications to the Community Radio Fund in 2013/14 will open on Wednesday 9 October and will close at 5pm on Wednesday 6 November. The awarding Panel will meet in January 2014 to consider the applications. Grants can only be made to community radio licensees who Read more +
Community Radio Fund, First Round 2012/13

The first round for funding applications in 2012/13 will open on 9 April 2012 and close at 5pm on 11 May 2012. The Community Radio Fund Panel will meet to consider applications on 25 June 2012. Grants can only be made to community radio licensees who are broadcasting under a Read more +
Ofcom Community Radio Fund Second Round
The second round for funding applications in 2011/12 opened on 19 October and will close at 5pm on 16 November 2011. The Community Radio Fund Panel will meet to consider applications on 30 January 2012.
Exploring Community Resilience – a new handbook from Carnegie UK Trust
The Fiery Spirits Community of Practice has launched a new handbook packed with inspiring stories about how communities are preparing for and coping through difficult times.
Consultation on proposed new Big Lottery Fund policy directions
The Government has opened a 12-week consultation on proposed new policy directions for the Big Lottery Fund.
Community Radio Fund: Second Round 2011/12
The second round for funding applications in 2011/12 will open on 19 October and close at 5pm on 16 November 2011. The Community Radio Fund Panel will meet to consider applications on 30 January 2012.