The 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott was a landmark event for British civil and legal rights. Campaigners vexed from signs that read ‘No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs,’ fought for racial equality and social justice. Their protests led to the end of ‘the colour bar’ which banned Black and Asian people from driving buses. These actions would pave the way for the UK’s Race Equality Acts and ultimately impacting the UK Equality Act 2010. The Equality Act 2010 protects the rights of equalities groups across race, sex, religion, gender, marriage, pregnancy, age, disability and LGBTQ+ rights.
Enhancing - Promoting
Bristol Bus Boycott Community Grant Scheme
The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports Community Grant Scheme to honour 60th anniversary of the Bristol Bus Boycott.
17/05/2023
Bristol Ideas has secured funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to create a Community Grant Scheme for projects honouring the 60th anniversary of the Bristol Bus Boycott. Individuals and artists can apply for funds of between £250 and £5,000 to support activities created for, with and by the community. This could include Elder lunches, music workshops, book talks, walking tours, art installations, sporting activities or wider community projects. Applicants simply need to demonstrate how they will make a positive impact on race equity in Bristol.
The deadline for applications is 7am on Monday 19 June, with all activity taking place before the end of 2023. Applications are open to registered organisations and individuals over the age of 18 whose planned activity will be taking place in a BS postcode.
There will be two optional advice sessions for interested parties to attend, both on Zoom (Tuesday 23 May) and in person (Thursday 25 May).
A grants panel of five community and organisational representatives will decide which applicants will be awarded grants based on a scoring system and judging deliberation. Applicants will be scored on criteria including their positive impact on race equity and communities in Bristol and the difference they make to increase outcomes for these communities; how they honour the Bus Boycott vision and its legacy; the memorable nature of their delivered activity; and value for money.
The Community Grant Scheme was launched at an event at M Shed on Friday 28 April which marked the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the Bristol Bus Boycott. The event included a speech by Mayor Marvin Rees, a performance by former city poet Miles Chambers and the launch of a public competition to decorate a Bristol bus with artwork that honours the boycott and its legacy.
The Community Grant Scheme is part of the broader Bristol 650 celebrations taking place across the city this year to mark the 650th anniversary of the founding of Bristol as an independent city and county.
ELIGIBILITY
- The minimum grant is £250. The maximum grant is £5,000.
- Your activity project might be a community lunch, an art project, a talk about activism, a performance, support towards a wider community project – anything for local communities, with and by local communities.
- Activity needs to take place in a BS postcode.
- Anyone of any age or background can be involved with the project.
- Applications will need to be made by a registered organisation or an individual over the age of 18 with a UK bank account.
- Applications need to demonstrate how they will positively impact on race equity in Bristol.
ELIGIBLE COSTS
- Materials and equipment
- Venue hire
- Professional fees for artists, workshop leaders
- Refreshments for participants
- Transport costs
- Access costs to allow people to participate – carers, childcare
