The CABWI Lifelong Learning and Development Fund is being provided by CABWI, the awarding body for the water and utilities industries, and is managed by the CABWI charity.

The fund supports small charities with projects that promote lifelong learning and development, address barriers to entering the labour market and allow people to gain additional skills to advance their careers.

Funding Available

Organisations with an income of:

• Between £266,666 and £1 million can apply for grants of up to £40,000.
• Up to £266,666 may apply for a maximum of 15% of their previous year's turnover.

Grants are available for a maximum of 12 months.

Who Can Apply

Applications are accepted from registered charities that work directly with young people and adults (aged 16+) who are not in employment, training, or education.

Organisations must have an income level equal to or less than £1 million, as shown in their most recent annual accounts. Priority will be given to smaller organisations.

Restrictions

Funding is not available for:

• Any organisation with turnover in excess of £1 million.
• Limited companies.
• Statutory organisations such as local authorities, NHS organisations and schools.
• Individuals or sole traders.
• Animal welfare.
• Arts projects with no community or charitable element.
• Direct replacement of statutory funding.
• Political groups or activities promoting political beliefs.
• Religious groups seeking to influence people's religious choices.
• Sports projects with no community or charitable element.
• Retrospective grants.
• Commercial or profit-making organisations or projects.
• Contribution to endowment funds, payment of deficit funding or repayment of loans.
• Overseas travel or expeditions.
• Contributions to major capital or 'bricks and mortar' projects.
• Sponsored or fundraising events or groups raising funds to distribute to other causes.
• Contingency or unspecified expenditure.

Eligible Expenditure

Grants can be used for core and/or project costs. For requests for both project and core costs, applicants must highlight how this will help their organisation.

Funding priorities are:

• Working with individuals with complex barriers to employment, enabling them to move closer or into employment, including but not restricted to ex-service personnel and ex-offenders.
• Working directly with young people and adults who are either not in employment, education, or training (NEET), or with young people who are at risk of becoming NEET, to improve their access to employment and the labour market.
• Increasing the life skills of people so that they may further develop their careers, with a particular focus on the water, utilities, and construction industries.

In this round, there is a particular interest in supporting innovative approaches that highlight new ideas/ways of tackling barriers to training and employment.

How To Apply

There is a two-stage application process:

•  Stage One: Applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest. Expressions of Interest will open on 5 January 2026 and close on 26 January 2026.
•  Stage Two: Applicants who are shortlisted will be notified by the last week of March 2026. The deadline for Stage Two applications will be 17 April 2026.

Guidance is available from the CABWI website:

CABWI Lifelong Learning and Development Fund