Family Law

As the Prime Minister made clear at the Girl Summit earlier in 2014, the government is committed to ending forced marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM) in this generation at home and abroad.

These are complex and deeply rooted practices, which occur in many cultures across the globe. Dealing with these practices requires more than just strengthening legislation and supporting frontline professionals. Communities need to be enabled to abandon them for themselves.

To do this, communities need the resources to provide the tailored solutions they know will encourage people to change their beliefs and practices in their area. This is happening internationally through the Generation Girl Campaign and it is happening here in the UK.

To celebrate  UN International Day of the Girl on 11 October 2014, the Department for Communities and Local Government, in collaboration with the Government Equality Office, is launching three funds for which voluntary organisations can apply:

• a £150,000 fund for community projects to prevent FGM and other forms of so-called ‘honour’-based violence;
• a £40,000 fund for up to two organisations to deliver a network of trusted community champions across the country to prevent and support cases of FGM; and
• a £40,000 fund for up to two organisations to deliver a network of trusted community champions across the country to prevent and support cases of forced marriage.

(An additional £100,000 will go to the Forced Marriage Unit to be directed at community work to support victims and survivors of forced marriage.)

You can apply by filling in the forms below. Please ensure you demonstrate how your bid meets all the essential criteria and return to: integration@communities.gsi.gov.uk by 5.00pm on 10 November 2014.

Click here to download 'Call for applications to deliver a new network of community champions to tackle female genital mutilation'.

Click here to download 'Call for applications for funding to prevent female genitial mutilation'.

Click here to download 'Call for applications to deliver a new network of community champions to tackle forced marriage'.