Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Accepted
Funding application processes can be complex and difficult to navigate, particularly for volunteer‑run grassroots organisations...
Conclusion
Funding application processes can be complex and difficult to navigate, particularly for volunteer‑run grassroots organisations with limited capacity and expertise. Lengthy, technical applications and fragmented funding routes act as barriers to access, despite recent efforts by Sport England to simplify provision through the Movement Fund. There is strong support in the community sport sector for alternative, more accessible application formats, including video, pitch and interview‑based approaches, alongside clearer eligibility checks and early‑stage filtering. (Conclusion, Paragraph 22)
Government response summary AI-generated
The government recognizes the importance of accessible funding processes and states that Sport England is continuously improving its grant making, including introducing a new platform in 2026/27 to enhance the applicant experience.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted
The Government recognises the importance of ensuring funding application processes are accessible to grassroots sport and physical activity organisations. Sport England is continuously improving its grant making and funding application processes across the whole investment portfolio. In recent years, they have introduced their Movement Fund to improve customer service and simplify the application process. In 2026/27, Sport England will introduce a new platform to further improve the investment experience for applicants, as well having dedicated funding and resources to support how they invest.
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