The VINCI UK Foundation is inviting charities that strengthen communities by improving access to employment, training, housing, mobility or leisure for society’s most disadvantaged to submit applications for its 2021 grants.

Charities promoting social cohesion across the UK and Republic of Ireland have until 31^st March 2020 to submit applications for grants from £3,000 to £20,000 via the VINCI UK Foundation website.

Grants may be used to purchase or upgrade transport, equipment and facilities to help the charities in their aims to combat social exclusion and strengthen communities.

Successful applications will also receive the support of a VINCI sponsor, an employee from a local VINCI business, who will donate some of their time and skills to the cause.

Businesses offering sponsorship through the foundation include VINCI Energies UK & RoI, VINCI Construction UK, VINCI Construction Grands Projets, VINCI Concessions, Bachy Soletanche, Eurovia, Freyssinet, Nuvia and Belfast Airport.

The main selection criterion is that charities operate in one of four areas:

• Access to employment – helping those currently excluded from the job market to adapt to the working world, while also receiving training and support.
• Inclusive mobility – improving the mobility of those deprived of means of transportation, providing them with better access to employment, healthcare and education.
• Insertion through housing – enabling access to housing for the most under-privileged individuals, providing them with greater security and stability.
• Building better communities – strengthening social links and fighting social isolation for those living in difficult areas.

If in doubt, prospective applicants can complete a simple eligibility test on the VINCI UK Foundation website.

Example projects that received support from the VINCI UK Foundation in 2020 include:

• A-T Society – Sponsored by Freyssinet, the A-T Society supports children and families affected by ataxia-telangiectasia disorder through initial diagnosis, medical treatment, and the challenges of everyday living. In 2020, the Hertfordshire-based charity used the £10,000 VINCI UK Foundation grant to develop videos and other digital resources to improve access to health information, independence, and wellbeing.
• Firefly Cancer Awareness & Support – Sponsored by VINCI Energies UK & RoI, Firefly Cancer Awareness & Support runs a fleet of eight vehicles offering free transport to cancer patients and their families in the borough of Doncaster to regional treatment hospitals. The charity used the £10,000 grant from the VINCI UK Foundation to replace a vehicle that had reached the end of its serviceable life, thereby sustaining the level of service it provides to the local community.
• Young Futures – Sponsored by VINCI Construction Grands Projets, Young Futures offers support, therapy and accommodation for young people leaving local authority care, helping them avoid unemployment, homelessness, exploitation and crime, and fulfil their potential. The £14,000 VINCI UK Foundation grant went towards refurbishing its central London community flats, where care-leavers can learn – in a safe and supportive environment – the realities of independent living and the life skills they need to secure and keep permanent housing.

Since it was established in 2016, the VINCI UK Foundation has supported 130 charities, awarding more than £1 million in grants.

Ruth Ottley, Head Coordinator of the VINCI UK Foundation says: “The charities we support are often small, local initiatives that perform vital work in the community, transforming the lives of society’s most disadvantaged. It is a privilege and honour to contribute to their efforts both financially and practically and helps us make a difference to the local areas surrounding our businesses. I would encourage any charities tackling social exclusion to consider getting in touch.”

More details can be found at www.vinci-uk-foundation.co.uk.