Insights from our funding
Every day the people, projects and communities we support generate valuable evidence, learning and data. Here you’ll find our latest insights into their achievements, successes and challenges.
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2023/24 Community Research Index
April 2024
Results from our annual Community Research Index for 2023/24, including highlights and a statistical summary of key findings Read more -
2022/23 Community Research Index
April 2023
Results from our annual Community Research Index for 2022/23, including highlights and a statistical summary of key findings Read more -
Strengthening communities: strategies for supporting places that have missed out on funding
March 2023
Our new report shares a range of approaches to place-based working and funding, helping to get grants into communities that might otherwise miss out Read more -
Learning from Helping Working Families grants in US
March 2023
Learning from Helping Working Families grants in US Read more -
From neighbours to neighbourhood: learning on how to boost pride in place
November 2022
Our new report shares how learning from National Lottery funded projects can help government, funders and local decision makers to measure and boost pride in place Read more -
Breathing space: how we help communities use, create and improve outdoor spaces
March 2022
A new report shares how National Lottery and third-party funding has supported the acquisition and maintenance of outdoor spaces, as well as activities within them and access to them. This gives communities the space they need to boost their mental and physical health, while growing closer together. Read more -
Voices from the Pandemic: Volume 2
November 2021
In our second Voices publication, we hear from thought leaders about recovery and planning for the future after COVID-19. Read more -
Connections make communities: our role in local infrastructure funding
August 2021
A new report shares how National Lottery, government and third-party funding has supported the development, maintenance and community acquisition of local infrastructure. The report explores the importance of community infrastructure in bringing people together, providing key services and allowing local people to shape their future. Read more -
Power in purpose: the difference we make in mobilising volunteers
July 2021
Volunteers are the lifeblood of the voluntary and community sector. This report looks at the difference our funding has made, drawing on the 4,200 grants we've made, worth £690 million, to support volunteering over the last five years. Read more -
A chance to thrive: the difference we make for young people
June 2021
Over the past five years, we've awarded £1.2 billion across 14,600 projects to support young people. In the first of four new reports, we look at the difference our funding has made. Read more -
Employment and employability: the difference we make
May 2021
Two new reports share how National Lottery funding has supported people into, and closer to work. We also highlight the special contribution of VCS organisations and how they add value to what others are able to offer. Read more -
Voices from the Pandemic: Volume 1
April 2021
In our new publication, we share six grantholder stories of resilience, adaptation and continuation during the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020. Read more -
Community action for the environment
September 2020
Our latest report, Community Action for the Environment: Small enough to care, big enough to make a difference, explores learning from our most recent funding of environmental projects, with a focus on how to spark, mobilise and sustain local community action. Read more -
September 2020
The National Lottery Community Fund Climate Action top-ups was a pilot, developed to inspire environmental action from a range of community groups funded by us. Read more -
Building young people’s resilience
January 2020
Building young people’s resilience – our achievements from the HeadStart programme. Read more -
Co-production: The benefits for people and organisations
September 2019
Our latest report, A Meeting of Minds: How co-production benefits people, professionals and organisations, focuses on practice and learning about co-production. Read more -
July 2019
Social prescribing connects communities and healthcare – but how do we make it work for everyone? Read more -
Loneliness and social isolation
June 2019
Insights and examples from the community and voluntary sector on how community action can tackle loneliness and social isolation. Read more -
Lessons from Social Investment
February 2019
Information about social investment and social enterprise, including evaluations and research studies we have commissioned since our work began in 2010. Read more -
January 2019
Learning related to the design and implementation of services for young people who are considered furthest away from the labour market. Read more -
Place-based working and funding
October 2018
Summary of learning about working and funding in place-based ways Read more -
July 2018
Learning and insights from the voluntary and community sector on what works in preventing serious youth violence. Read more
