People and groups are being invited to apply for grants of up to £5,000 for projects in Bristol that honour the legacy of the Bristol Bus Boycott. The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded funding to the city to mark the 60th anniversary of the Bus Boycott, which was a landmark moment in civil rights and equality in modern British history.
The projects don’t have to be directly connected to the Bus Boycott - it could be anything from putting on lunches for the elderly, a walking tour or setting up an art installation or a sporting activity, but those applying just need to demonstrate how their project will ‘make a positive impact on race equity in Bristol’.
The Bristol Bus Boycott ran for weeks in the spring and summer of 1963, started by the community in St Pauls and Easton, and backed by students and some - but not all - of the white Bristolian population. The boycott was held in protest at the ‘colour bar’ - a ban on Black and Asian people getting jobs on the buses in the city.
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Earlier this year, the city formally apologised to those involved in the boycott, and granted the surviving members of the leadership team the freedom of the city. Now, Bristol Ideas has secured this lottery funding to create a ‘Community Grant Scheme’ for projects which honour the anniversary.
“Individuals and artists can apply for funds of between £250 and £5,000 to support activities created for, with and by the community,” a spokesperson said. “This could include Elder lunches, music workshops, book talks, walking tours, art installations, sporting activities or wider community projects. Applicants simply need to demonstrate how they will make a positive impact on race equity in Bristol.”
People and organisations have until 7am on Monday, June 19, to apply, and all the activity the grant is funding has to happen before the end of 2023. Anyone can apply as long as they are over 18 and the planned activity will take place in a BS postcode.
A grants panel of five community and organisational representatives will decide who will get the grants based on a scoring system and judging deliberation. “Applicants will be scored on criteria including their positive impact on race equity and communities in Bristol and the difference they make to increase outcomes for these communities; how they honour the Bus Boycott vision and its legacy; the memorable nature of their delivered activity; and value for money,” the spokesperson added.
The grants award from the National Lottery was announced at a special event held at the M Shed to mark the 60th anniversary, and now applications are being opened to anyone who wants funding.
Anyone thinking of applying can attend two optional advice sessions next week. The first on Tuesday, May 23, is on Zoom, and the second on Thursday, May 25, is in person.
The Community Grant Scheme is part of the broader Bristol 650 celebrations taking place across the city this year to mark the 650th anniversary of the founding of Bristol as an independent city and county.
To apply for the Community Grant Scheme, visit here and download the application form.
Read next:
- Bristol now has a real life Doctor Hoo as university commends street poet Lawrence
- Jesus joins the Bristol Bus Boycott to replace Colston stained glass window
- Roy Hackett awarded Honorary Doctorate by University of Bristol at his funeral
- Jesus joins the Bristol Bus Boycott to replace Colston stained glass window
