Funding to tackle the digital divide and help adults furthest away from learning

Posted on 30 June 2021 by Christie McAlpine

The VocTech Challenge Grant Fund is now open for applications and they are especially keen to hear from organisations in Scotland.

This call is for projects that address the VocTech Challenge:

How can VocTech address barriers and build bridges to create a step-change in learner confidence and motivation, leading to better outcomes for the learner, for the employer and for society as a whole? 

This Challenge is focused on adults impacted by the digital divide and furthest away from learning so they can gain the confidence they need to get skills for work.

What is available

The fund will have two parts: a Define stage and the delivery of either an Activate or Impact project. An initial £10,000 grant is available for the Define phase (both project types) followed by:

• Ufi VocTech Activate – Grants of between £15,000 - £50,000 to test early stage ideas.
• Ufi VocTech Impact – Grants of up to £150,000 for VocTech solutions that can deliver benefits to a large number of learners.

How to apply

Full details of the fund can be found on the VocTech Trust website and applications will close at 5pm on 29 July 2021.

They are also running a series of workshops to find out more about the fund and decide if it is right for you. These take place throughout July and can be booked online.