Hate crimes are crimes that are motivated by hostility on the grounds of race (ethnicity, national origin) religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity. Hate crimes target an intrinsic part of the victim’s identity and research has shown that the psychological harm they can cause can be more severe than crimes not motivated by hate. Hate crimes also have an impact on communities that identify with the victim; this can leave many communities feeling alienated and living in fear. 
The Government’s commitment to tackling all hate crime is underpinned by some of the strongest legislation in the world, which protects communities from hostility, violence and bigotry. The UK Government’s plan for tackling hate crime which was developed in partnership with a number of communities affected by hate crime further demonstrates this commitment.
The aim of the fund is to work with affected communities to develop a range of pilot projects to tackle hate crime, by funding the development of innovative projects that support the delivery of the five key aims of the UK Government’s plan for tackling hate crime.
The five key aims are:
1. Preventing hate crime – by challenging the beliefs and attitudes that can underline such crimes
2. Responding to hate crime in communities – reducing the number of hate crime incidents
3. Increasing the reporting of hate crime – while there has been an increase in all recorded hate crime, hate crime is still significantly under-reported
4. Improving support for the victims of hate crime – this is crucial for increasing victims’ confidence to report incidents and enabling them to feel confident that the criminal justice system understands their needs
5. Building understanding of hate crime – if we understand the drivers of hate crime we can effectively combat all forms of hate crime
The Home Office are looking for community-led organisations or consortia that work with groups who are vulnerable to hate crime, and are involved with activities that bring communities together. These community organisations are often best placed to identify:
• the issues affecting communities
• how they can be addressed
• what a desired outcome from an intervention may look like
• what the desired impact would be
The fund has been set up to support the delivery of innovative projects, which aim to have a positive impact on victims or those who may be vulnerable to hate crime. The projects may serve as a model for future action. We also welcome partnership working, particularly between the voluntary and community sector and the statutory sector, as the different mix of skills and knowledge can lead to innovative solutions.
The Home Office is seeking to fund projects at two levels of either £25,000 or £50,000.
The Home Office has made £300,000 available to spend by 31 March 2017 and expect to fund 6 – 8 projects, but the Home Office reserves the right to vary the number of projects funded.
Groups eligible to apply are:
• Any registered English or Welsh Charities
• England Charitable Incorporated Organisations
• Companies limited by guarantee
• Not for Profit Registered Community Interest Companies
• Constituted Community and Voluntary Community Sector Groups
• 3rd Sector/Public Sector Partnerships providing the lead organisation bidding for funding is not public sector or local government body
For further information and to apply, visit: www.gov.uk/guidance/preventing-hate-crime-funding-for-community-projects#about-the-fund, or email: [email protected].
Deadline: Friday 14 October 2016, 20:00