Voluntary and community organisations providing education and learning opportunities for adults on the Island can now bid for grant funding of up to £25,000.

The Isle of Wight Council’s Adult Community Learning Service has published a new prospectus for 2026/27 detailing the scheme.

Bids are invited from any enterprise that will use funding to deliver services that widen access to adult learning opportunities.

The service provides opportunities that engage adults in learning, with a focus on those who have benefited least from the formal education system.

The council requires the grant funding to deliver outcomes including:

• helping people who are disadvantaged and least likely to participate in learning;

• improving the gaining of skills. These skills must prepare people for further education, training or employment. This may include achievement of qualifications;

• delivering a range of universal and targeted family learning courses and workshops enabling parents/carers to support children’s learning and to develop resilience within families;

• developing stronger communities by promoting community development, equality of opportunity, volunteering and involvement in local decision making.

The grant funding prospectus provides more information about our expectations.

To obtain a copy of the application pack, contact Rob Brindley in the Adult Community Learning Service by emailing acl@iow.gov.uk or calling (01983) 817280.

Once organisations have read through the prospectus, they are encouraged to contact the Service and discuss their idea.

The deadline for receipt of completed applications is 3pm, on Friday 26 June 2026.