Amazon offers grants of up to £30k to County Durham creative organisations
AMAZON has launched the Regional Creatives Fund with grants of up to £30,000 available to support creative industry careers in the North East.
The fund is available to organisations, focusing on helping underserved communities access careers in publishing, music, gaming, film, TV, fashion, advertising, and more.
It is open to single charitable organisations and consortiums in the same region currently running impactful skills projects.
They can apply for funding to scale, sustain, or innovate their efforts. Applications for up to £30,000 can be made by individual organisations that meet eligibility criteria, while consortium applications for up to £100,000 are also available.
The Regional Creatives Fund grants will give charities with existing creative upskilling programmes the flexibility to address their most pressing needs.
Financial support is complemented by pro bono services from Amazon’s network of creative professionals, including mentoring, work experience, placement opportunities, and digital training.
These will be provided by experts from Amazon Music, Prime Video, Amazon Games, and more.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that the fund will be used to expand or continue an impactful programme.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “I want every young person to have the opportunity to build a successful career within the creative industries, which is one of this country’s greatest assets.
“Alongside our Creative Industries Sector Plan this new fund will help to support growth in these fast-growing sectors by preparing the next generation of creatives to tell our national story on the world stage.”
Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, chair of the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee and RCF board member, added: “The creative industries are one of the UK’s greatest success stories, but for too long access to careers in this sector have been limited by social and economic barriers.
“Amazon’s Regional Creatives Fund is exactly the kind of initiative we need – offering substantial grants and practical support to help level the playing field.
“By supporting local charities with both funding and industry expertise, this programme will help unlock creative talent across our communities and ensure the UK’s creative sectors truly reflect the diversity of our society.”
Applications are open for small to mid-size organisations that are registered charities in the UK.
Applicants must currently be running a programme that focuses on upskilling people from underserved communities for careers in creative industries.
The fund’s goal aligns with research from The Sutton Trust, showing that many people, particularly those identifying as ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, and people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, continue to face significant barriers to entering and progressing in the UK’s creative industries.
Paul Firth, director of global music industry at Amazon Music, said: “Amazon has been a passionate supporter of creative industries in the UK for many years and the Regional Creatives Fund will supercharge that support in Newcastle and across the country.
“The aim of the Regional Creatives Fund is to help charities amplify the reach of existing programmes that support pathways to careers in the creative industries.
“We understand talent is everywhere, but access isn’t, and we’re working to change that.”
Applications will be assessed across five key areas. Successful proposals should embody the fund’s spirit by demonstrating energy, optimism and a clear creative purpose.
They must deliver tangible impact through skills development, access and industry connections; present a well-considered, realistic plan with assured delivery; prioritise inclusion by highlighting underrepresented voices; and build on existing programmes. For more information on eligibility and the application process, visit the Regional Creatives Fund website at bit.ly/amazoncreatives
