Call for expressions of interest: Looking for groups to join the Roots Fund 2026 Funding Working Group

June 06, 2026

Call for expressions of interest:

Looking for groups to join the Roots Fund 2026 Funding Working Group

Edge Fund's 2026 Roots Fund will continue distributing funds to grassroots groups tackling  Islamophobia, racial injustice, and the legacies of British colonialism in the UK & Ireland, and challenging the increased presence of the far right by leading community-led approaches to radical forms of organising. 

To do this, we invite Edge Fund grantees whose missions align with the Roots Fund's aims to join our Funding Working Group (FWG) and become decision-makers in redistributing 40K to other radical grassroots groups. Your group’s expertise will be key for securing a fair distribution of grants. Edge Fund will provide an induction into our Participatory Grant-Making model and into our methodology to collect, assess and shortlist applications. See a detailed timeline below in section D. 

DEADLINE:  Express your interest to join the FWG by completing this form by Friday 26th June (12 noon)- receive a response by Friday 3rd July 

Important: Contribution

Groups joining the FWG will not be allowed to apply for the Roots fund, but will receive a financial contribution for their participation in the redistribution of funds equivalent to the grant (£1,000.00).

 

CLICK HERE to apply as a scorer group

(please read the criteria below first)

<< Criteria to join the FWG>> :

A. This is an open call to Edge grantees as well as those who applied (and were eligible) that:

 

  1. Continue to be active in their campaigning:

  2. Are unregistered grassroots organisations (not CIC, NGOs, CIOs) 

  3. Their aims and mission are aligned with the priorities of the Roots Fund.

  4. Are led by/or centre those affected Islamophobia, Afriphobia, Racism and the legacies of colonial violence and the rise of the far-right.  

  5. Priority will be given to groups who activate in regions that are most affected by the presence of the far-right and/or in areas under-represented among Edge grantees (Wales & Ireland).

B. Groups joining the Funding Working Group will have the remit to:

  1. Decide the criteria for the redistribution of funds: 

  2. Assessing and scoring applications based on the criteria agreed by the FWG.

  3. Shortlist 40 grantees.

  4. Provide feedback to improve the process.

  5. Meet up with the new grantees online and share with them the work of the FWG.

C. Groups selected for the FWG commit to:

  1. Contribute to a fair, collaborative environment where we will prioritise care and accountability in order to support grassroots organisations by distributing funds to them.

  2. Communicate with each other from a perspective of care and support.

  3. Have at least 2 representatives attending the FWG meetings/ scoring the applications.

  4. Join all the FWG meetings. See a detailed timeline below.

  5. Reporting back to your groups about the work you do as part of the FWG: we aim to inform the process with your expertise as organisers embedded in a community shaped by common goals, strategies and lived experiences, not a sum of individuals.Most meetings will be online but we aim to have an in-person meeting towards the end of the funding round (date and location to be agreed by the FWG members).

D. Funding Working Group’s timeline:  Please note these dates in your diary, members of your group must attend. Please see this excel timeline/ calendar for an easier read. Please make sure your group can commit to this before applying.

1. Induction: July (4 hours)

  • Meet the FWG members! What is Edge’s PGM? Thursday 16th of July  6-8PM(Online)

  • How do we make decisions together? -  Saturday 18th of July 11AM-1PM (Online)

2. Deciding on the 2026 Roots Fund : July & August (3 hours)

  • Guidelines & Criteria - Wednesday 29th of July: 6-7:30PM (Online)

  • Application Form & Scoring methods -5th of August: 6-7:30PM (Online) 

The Roots Fund will launch from the 10th of August- 31st of August (3 weeks)

 

3. Assessing Applications: All of September (10-15 hours) 

  • From the 11th- 25th of September each group in the FWG will have 2 weeks to review 30-35 applications and place comments. 

  • In-person scoring discussion  Saturday 26th of September 11:00 AM - 5 PM. Location to be agreed with the FWG members. Will groups have time to read through their applications?

  • Deadline to complete scoring cards: 30th of September

4. Shortlisting the Roots Grantees: October (2-4 hours)

  • Ranking review: 9th of October 6-8PM (Online) 

  • Deadline to complete final ranking if needed: 15th of October 

6. Debrief sessions and Meet up (3.5 hours November 2026) 

  • Meet up with the 2026 Roots Grantees! November 6-7:30PM (Online)

  • FWG Debrief: How can we improve our PGM?/12th Nov 6-7:30PM (Online)