The Community Vaccine Champions Grants support local organisations in Leeds to share clear and trusted vaccination messages with communities who may be less heard. By drawing on the knowledge and relationships of community groups, the fund helps make vaccination information more relevant and accessible, while creating opportunities for local conversations in settings people trust.
This community-led approach was shown to work well during the Covid-19 vaccination rollout, when smaller organisations created tailored resources and messages that helped address barriers and build confidence in communities most affected by health inequalities. Learning from previous rounds continues to shape how the programme is delivered.
Small grants to support local action
This round of Community Vaccination Champions Grants will support local organisations to raise awareness and help increase the uptake of vaccinations in priority communities across Leeds.
The focus of this round is on engaging specific communities with lower vaccine uptake, with a particular emphasis on the most marginalised communities. Particular focus will be through promotion of the MMRV vaccine (available from Jan ‘26) in areas of deprivation identified by the UK Health Security Agency and Leeds City Council as high risks for outbreaks, focusing on at-risk groups and building confidence within communities where English is not the first language.
This initiative is designed to empower community groups to engage with residents and share vaccine information in ways that work for their communities.
The grant programme is part of the wider Community Vaccine Champions Programme.
Purpose of the Fund
The core objective is to provide funding for organisations to act as Community Vaccine Champions through locally led engagement activities.
Grants of up to £2,500 are available to support organisations to engage residents, improve awareness of vaccination benefits and support informed decision-making. This round of the programme focuses on the MMRV vaccine (available from Jan ‘26), reflecting current public health priorities.
Funding Details
- Grant amount: Up to £2,500
- Applications open: 21 January 2026
- Applications close: 6 February 2026
- Panel review: w/c 16 February 2026
- Consensus meeting: w/c 23 February 2026
- Funding distributed: w/c 9 March 2026
Further details on monitoring requirements will be provided to successful applicants. Public Health has confirmed some flexibility around monitoring timescales, while still requiring timely returns.
Who Can Apply?
The fund is open to community organisations that are trusted within and actively supporting priority communities in Leeds.
The grants will be prioritised for those groups and organisations who are already engaged with communities in the following ward areas:
- Armley
- Beeston and Holbeck
- Gipton and Harehills
- Burmantofts and Richmond Hill
- Chapel Allerton
- Seacroft and Killingbeck
Applications must clearly demonstrate how the proposed activity will engage communities with lower vaccine uptake, in line with the published guidance. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from organisations working with culturally diverse communities and other groups least engaged with vaccination programmes.
We encourage applications from smaller and grassroots organisations. Please contact us before applying if you would like to discuss your idea or check eligibility.
Full guidance will be available in the Community Vaccination Champions Application Guidance Document.
Eligible Activities
We are looking to fund targeted, community-led interventions that:
- Actively raise awareness of vaccination programmes
- Support engagement and informed decision-making
- Embed vaccination conversations into existing community activities
- Use culturally appropriate, trauma-informed and multilingual approaches
- Work in trusted, informal settings where people already gather
Ineligible Activities
The fund will not support:
- For-profit or statutory organisations
- Retrospective funding for activities or costs already incurred
- Grant-making to other organisations or individuals
- Activities promoting political or religious viewpoints
- Capital projects, such as building or renovation work
How to Apply
Applications will be accepted via an online application form (Google Form – no login required).
Applications will be reviewed by a partnership panel comprising representatives from Public Health, Forum Central, and Voluntary Action Leeds. Decisions will be made following a panel review and consensus meeting.
Successful applicants will be required to complete due diligence checks and sign a grant agreement before funds are released.
Monitoring and Reporting
When you have completed your activity or project we will ask you to return a case study. Information required includes:
- Number of people (including some demographic details) who benefited from your activity or project
- What went well
- What people thought (feedback from those taking part)
- The difference your activity has made to those taking part
- What learning can be shared from your activity or project
A copy of the template form is available here.
Monitoring case studies will also help Public Health with future planning and review.
Further Information
If you have any queries or would like to discuss your application before applying, please contact:
[email protected]
Community Champions at a glance – View PDF
Leeds Community Vaccine Champions Grants Poster
