BCF - Support for Sanctuary Seekers in Barnet

In July 2024 Barnet Council was officially awarded Borough of Sanctuary status for its efforts in welcoming those seeking a safe place to live.

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The Borough of Sanctuary title is awarded by the charity City of Sanctuary UK to organisations and areas that go above and beyond welcoming those looking for a safe haven.

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The Borough of Sanctuary's four Strategic priorities guide the council's approach to partnership working as it seeks to support sanctuary seekers in the borough. The priorities are:

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• Inclusivity - fostering a welcoming environment, helping sanctuary seekers they feel belong

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• Community Spirit - celebrating diversity and voices of sanctuary seekers are amplified

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• Empowerment - encouraging personal growth, wellbeing and a sense of agency among sanctuary seekers

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• Active listening - including sanctuary seekers in the decision process, proactively understanding their needs and challenges

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The full Barnet Borough of Sanctuary strategy can be found here

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This builds on a range of measures and initiatives including, but not limited to:

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• Providing funding through a pervious round of Young Barnet Foundation's Space2Grow fund to organisations providing additional support to Asylum Seekers and Refugees

• The publication of a Migrant Health Needs Assessment in September 2022

• The publication of a "Borough of Sanctuary" Strategy covering 2023-2026

• The provision of pervious funding through the Barnet Community Fund for a grant fund to Support Ukrainian Refugees withing the Borough

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This fund aims to build upon this previous work, with a wider remit to support all Sanctuary Seekers within the Borough.

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​​Young Barnet Foundation, as part of the Barnet Together Alliance, is leading the funding strand in the community response, supported by colleagues within the Barnet Together partnership and wider Alliance

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Apply Today

Apply Today for grants of between £200 and £4,000​​​

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Proposals for projects on a longer term basic and which reach hard to reach communities, may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the panel for awards exceeding £4,000. However, this will be an exception and you must demonstrate significant need. Partnership bids in this context will be particularly welcomed.

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If your organisation has identified such a project costing more than £4,000, then please contact us at grants@youngbarnetfoundation.org.uk, outlining in a brief email the project and the funding required. This will then be passed to the panel who will discuss the project further to determine if they wish to see an application submitted.

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Read the full Eligibility Criteria before you apply 

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Apply online. Note once you have started the online form there is no 'SAVE' function. We recommend you download the questions HERE and draft your answers to copy and paste onto the online form. 

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Timetable

Open for Applications: Monday 16th June 2025

Closed for applications:  Once all funds allocated

Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis

Successful Applicants Notified: Within 28 days of application​​​​

This fund is being administered by Young Barnet Foundation on behalf of the Barnet Together Alliance. To find out more about the services the  Barnet Together Alliance provides, you can read this document. The Support for Sanctuary Seekers in Barnet Fund is supported by Funding from London Borough of Barnet.