Deadline Date: April 02, 2026
The Southwark Local Access Partnership Trade Up Programme 2026 offers up to £15,000 in grant funding alongside expert support to help Southwark-based social enterprises and charities grow their traded income and strengthen long-term sustainability.
The programme focuses on increasing traded income, diversifying income streams, strengthening long-term sustainability, generating more income through expert advice and mentoring, supporting Southwark-based organisations, and fostering meaningful local impact within the borough.
Southwark is home to purpose-driven organisations that are delivering impact while balancing immediate demands with future growth. This free programme, funded through the Southwark Local Access Partnership (LAP), is specifically designed for social enterprises and trading charities rooted in Southwark that are ready to expand their income-generating activities while reinforcing their organisational foundations.
Over a nine-month period, 15 selected organisations will take part in a structured learning journey alongside a cohort of local peers. Participants will learn by doing, receive tailored one-to-one support, and connect with new partners, networks, and trading opportunities within the borough. Most learning sessions will be delivered in accessible venues across Southwark, ensuring the experience remains locally relevant and closely connected to the borough’s social economy.
Each participating organisation will receive £8,000 upfront. In addition, there is an opportunity to unlock up to £7,000 in Match Trading over 12 months, meaning funding increases in line with trading growth.
The programme is open to organisations with an income between £30,000 and £50,000 in the most recent or current financial year. Eligible organisations must either be based in Southwark or demonstrate significant work, relationships, and impact within the borough. This includes organisations delivering a substantial proportion of their work in Southwark, those operating across multiple boroughs with clear and sustained delivery in Southwark, or organisations working locally and internationally while demonstrating substantial benefit to Southwark communities. Organisations with only minimal or occasional activity in Southwark, or those primarily operating outside the borough with little direct local benefit, are unlikely to be eligible.
The programme particularly welcomes Global Majority-led and women-led enterprises and is designed to support organisations making a meaningful difference in Southwark. Participation is fully funded, ensuring there is no cost to join.
For more information, visit School for Social Entrepreneurs.
