About ESOL grant

The ESOL grant aims to improve the learners' English communication skills making them more employable. 

The Homes for Ukraine government grant has funding to support this work of up to £10,000 per project.

The time frame for allocating the grant is between April 2024 and March 2025.

What we're looking for

Your proposals should:

  • show extra capacity or a new local offer, they should not replicate or duplicate what is currently provided through adult education, community learning, or the existing Ukrainian Grant Scheme across the city
  • provide evidence of the gap they're filling so new proposals are complementary
  • include a work or employability element that's focused on accelerating progression, this should be aligned with the learner’s existing professional work experience, qualifications, or access to sectors in the city with high demand for workers or preparation for IELTS
  • build upon the learners’ current level of ESOL
  • provide an offer that's accessible to learners who may already be in work
  • consider childcare needs and other access requirements when planning and delivering the ESOL provision to ensure diverse ESOL learners can participate in the project
  • signpost to local provision and activities across the city to help individuals progress
  • include an assessment process that identifies why the offer is appropriate for the learner and captures the learner’s current situation and future employment aspirations, this should be anonymised. Collated intelligence will be shared with the Local Authority to inform future planning

As a result of this funding, Ukrainian refugees will have:

  • accelerated English speaking and listening proficiency
  • increased confidence in dealing with employers and public services
  • increased ability to secure employment in line with their home profession
  • increased social mixing and trust in other people, and sense of belonging
  • increased interest in future English or other training opportunities

Who can apply

You can apply if your organisation is already delivering in-person ESOL in Brighton and Hove, and is one of the following:

  • company limited by guarantee or shares 
  • registered charity 
  • Community Interest Company (CIC) 
  • Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) 
  • Community Benefit Society 
  • constituted group or club 
  • statutory organisation

What the funding covers

You can ask for funding to cover all or part of your project costs.

Capital costs like buying IT or heavy sports equipment will not be covered.

Recruitment of learners 

As the funding is designed to increase capacity and provide additionality, we do not expect learners to be displaced from their core provision. 

How to apply

You need to complete the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) grant for Ukrainian refugees application form and funding template.

You must include copies of the following supporting documents:

  • signed latest Annual Accounts or record of expenditure  
  • one bank statement from the last three months
  • signed Memorandum and Articles of Association or constitution or governing document  
  • explanation of your governance structure
  • your policies on:
    • equal opportunity
    • health and safety
    • safeguarding  
  • Public Liability Insurance  
  • complaints policy and procedure  

Please note that any information you provide is subject to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.

Please send your application form, funding information, and all supporting documents by email to Aime.Ndongozi@brighton-hove.gov.uk and Medbh.Henry@brighton-hove.gov.uk.

Application deadline

You must apply by 5pm on 15 February 2024.

We will tell you if you're successful by 15 March 2024.