Gen2 Project

Our vision is to see increasing numbers of children, young people and families fully involved in the life and mission of local churches.

The Gen2 Project is a £1.1m investment from the Church Commissioner’s Strategic Development Fund over a 6 year period, 2018-2024.

It aimed to change church culture to prioritise younger generations and to see them as fellow disciples, journeying together in the way of Jesus. The project sought to create a pathway of high quality training and employment for children's, youth and family workers to develop innovative mission and discipleship that can be replicated across the deaneries in which they work.

Gen 2 Project Small Grants

As the Gen2 Project nears its designated end, its Board has agreed to change the project’s outcomes and purpose to allow remaining funds to be available as grants to churches seeking to invest in children and young people within their community.

The offer is for small grants from £100 up to £5000 to be made available as pilot seed funding to support the development and continuation of work with children and young people across Peterborough Diocese, including intergenerational work.

Grants will be given to parishes/benefices/projects within Peterborough Diocese which fulfil key criteria:
1. Work with children and young people in the context of church, school and home – including intergenerational work and/or partnerships with schools/organisations.
2. Have a clear plan to start, or have a momentum in, work with C&YP which will benefit from further investment.

In our grant distribution we will seek to reach all traditions and regions of the Diocese, as well as represent its diversity. Priority will be given to work in deprived areas – as indicated in the Church Urban Fund (CUF) Look Up Tool. However, all churches are welcome to apply for C&YP funding as per the guidance above. Please note that applicants of grants over £500, not located in deprived areas, in some cases may be asked to provide some match funding depending on the value and aims of the application. In this case, please contact the Gen2 Team at gen2grants@peterborough-diocese.org.uk to discuss your project.

Please download our Grant Criteria Examples letter for ideas of what the grant could be used for. This is not an exhaustive list and we are open to hear any new proposals as per guidance above.