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Suffolk Armed Forces Community Covenant
Suffolk Armed Forces Community Covenant
Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils have signed the Suffolk Armed Forces Community Covenant.
The aims of the covenant are:
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to encourage local communities to support the armed forces community in their areas
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to improve public understanding about issues that affect the armed forces community
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to recognise and remember the sacrifices made by the armed forces community
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to encourage activities which help to integrate the armed forces community into local life
- to encourage the armed forces community to help and support their wider communities. This could be by taking part in events, projects, or other activities
The covenant also aims to reduce any disadvantages that military personnel face due to their military service.
Read information about what the Armed Forces Covenant achieved in 2018
If you would like more information about the Covenant please contact the Communities Team
UK Armed Forces Covenant: Local Grants Programme is Open for Applications
The Armed Forces Covenant is an agreement between the nation, Government and Armed Forces. It recognises the whole nation has a moral obligation to current and former members of the armed forces and their families. It also sets out how the armed forces community should be treated.
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund was established by the Ministry of Defence in 2015 to support this objective. It became an independent trust in 2018 and this trust looks after the fund, which is worth £10 million per year.
Grants of up to £20,000 are available for projects that:
- respond to the needs of the armed forces community
- improve recognition of the Armed Forces Covenant
- help integrate armed forces into civilian communities across the UK
- deliver local services to the armed forces community
Proposed projects must identify one of the following as their main focus:
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health and wellbeing
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education and employability
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events and commemorations
Registered charities, community interest companies, local authorities, schools, and Armed Forces units with a UIN (Unit Identification Number) can apply as long as they:
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have experience of working with armed forces communities and demonstrate an understanding of the issues they face
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provide evidence of real engagement and partnership working - with either an armed forces charity or an armed forces unit
Applicants must be willing to work closely with their Local Covenant Partnerships. This is to ensure that their project is locally connected, responds to recognised needs and does not duplicate other provisions.
Applicants who are successful with their Local Grants application may also be able to benefit from the Covenant Fund’s Digital Development Programme.
Local Grants Programme applications are assessed four times per year.