The Early Stage Support programme, funded by the Nationwide Foundation, offers expert mentoring and small grants to help affordable community-led housing projects get started.
This is a programme to help community groups in England in the critical early stages of their project. It provides help with everything from choosing a legal structure to funding guidance. 
Successful groups will receive one-to-one assistance from experienced sector professionals. There is also a small grant pot available to help with early stage costs.
Who can apply:
• You are a group of people considering an affordable community-led housing project, or an existing community group diversifying into community-led housing for the first time
• You do not have funds to progress your project
• Your group has enough people directly involved in the project to progress it
• You have a clear idea of the project you want to pursue and why
• You can demonstrate need and demand for the project
• You are based in England
This project has a focus on urban and deprived areas.
The Locality Early Stage Funding programme includes three elements. The goal is to help your group navigate the crucial early stages of a project to a point where you are ready to apply for other funding or sources of finance.
Stage 1
Successful applicants are assigned a member mentor who will meet with your group to talk about your project and the conditions in which it will operate. Having discussed your project with you in detail, they will suggest a programme of support to take you forward into the second stage.
Stage 2
Locality will then provide up to five days of intensive support on a one to one basis, concentrating on the areas that will be most useful to your group. By the end of this support, you will also have completed an action plan to take your project forward when the programme ends.
Stage 3
As part of the programme, your group will be able to apply for a small cash grant of up to £2220, from a central pot.
For further information and to apply, visit: http://locality.org.uk/projects/communityled-housing/early-stage-support/
Deadline: Friday 12 August 2016