Introduction

The Greater London Authority (GLA) awarded Voter ID Awareness Campaign Grants as part of its Civic and Democratic Participation Programme. The Grant Programme is linked to the GLA's wider Voter ID public awareness campaign to raise awareness in London of the equality implications of the Voting System Changes brought in by the Election Act (2022).

Phase Two of the Grant Programme funded civil society equity-led groups between £25,000 and £50,000 to deliver targeted awareness-raising and related informational activity in trusted community settings for London's most under-registered and under-represented communities, those most likely to be impacted by the changes. Projects ran from August 2023 to February 2024.

By equity-led, we mean at least 50% of an organisation's management (trustees and senior management) and staff identify with one or more of the identities listed below and have experience of the civic and democratic barriers they are trying to address.

GLA analysis has highlighted the following groups to be most impacted:

• Young Londoners (18-25-year-olds)
• Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and migrant Londoners, including EU Londoners
• D/deaf and disabled Londoners
• Older Londoners
• LGBTQ+ Londoners, with a focus on trans and non-binary Londoners
• Low-income Londoners
• Homeless, social and private renting Londoners

what were the aims of the programme?

The aims of the Voter ID Community Grants Programme - Phase Two were:

• To deliver impartial awareness raising and informational activity on the voting system changes in trusted community settings at local level and pan-London
• To raise awareness among Londoners from under-registered and under-represented communities, disproportionally impacted by the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis, and ensure they do not lose their voice and their vote by supporting them to register to vote, apply for an approved photo Voter ID or the free Voter Authority Certificate.
• To grow the number, capacity and resilience of civil society organisations operating in the democracy sector by addressing the chilling effects of charity and electoral law and ensuring civil and democratic participation is embedded in their ongoing/ future activity and as a longer-term legacy of the programme

What support was available for applicants?

Groundwork London managed the administration of the Grant Programme and provided advice around partnerships, volunteers, budgeting, marketing and communications, impartiality and other areas.

A funding pot of £27,000 was available to provide accessibility support during the application process and project delivery.

Shout Out UK provided training and 1:1 support to all grantees on impartiality and political literacy.