Access to Justice officially launches today

Today, we’re proud to announce the launch of our Access to Justice programme, a new funding initiative developed in collaboration with and for organisations delivering social welfare advice across our city, as part of Standing with Londoners. 

All of our programmes under this policy focus on advancing social justice across the capital, are built on trust and are designed to be hopeful, fair, and accessible. 

We are committed to using our voice, resources, and networks to work alongside organisations rooted in the communities they serve. 

Our goal is to address urgent problems, secure fairer access to rights, strengthen communities, challenge the systems that perpetuate injustice, and build a more equitable future, together. 

This first funding round is for ​‘led by and for’ organisations working with London’s marginalised communities, who provide free social welfare advice and support social action and systems change, in the areas of housing, welfare benefits, debt, employment, and immigration. 

There is £6.5 million available in this round, with core and flexible funding offered over three or five years.

Paul Martinelli, Chair of the City Bridge Foundation Board, said:

“The Access to Justice programme is being launched to respond directly to what people in our communities are facing right now – barriers to legal support, unfair outcomes, and systems that feel impossible to navigate. 

This is about showing up with practical help today, while also working together to change the deeper structures that keep justice out of reach. We’re not just treating symptoms – we’re building a foundation for long-term change, and we want to do it alongside the people and partners who know these challenges best.”

Nighat Qureishi, Chair of the City Bridge Foundation Funding Committee, said:

“With the launch of the Access to Justice funding programme, we’re making a deliberate investment in organisations that are ​‘led by and for’ the communities they serve. This decision reflects a core belief: those closest to the issues are best placed to drive meaningful change. 

These organisations bring deep-rooted trust, cultural insight, and lived experience – essential ingredients for reaching those most affected by injustice. By supporting their leadership, we’re not only addressing immediate barriers to justice, we are also providing assistance to lay the groundwork for long-term systems change.”

At City Bridge Foundation, we’re excited to be working together to help build a fairer London where everyone can access their rights. 

Explore the programme today, and get ready to apply on Friday 14 November 2025.

Our Access to Justice programme guidance is now live. You can:

• Explore the programme’s priorities and eligibility
• View a sample application form
• Understand how the process works before applications open

Applications open at 12 noon on Friday 14 November 2025.

Join our live webinar Q&A with the funding team at 11:15am on Tuesday 11 November to hear more about the programme, eligibility and how to prepare your application.

If you currently hold a grant with us, you may still be eligible to apply. Please note, we can only fund work that is delivered in London and benefits Londoners.

If you have any accessibility requirements, contact us at funding@citybridgefoundation.org.uk or call 020 7332 3710 (8am–6pm, Monday to Friday) so we can support you.

If you still have questions after reviewing our resources, you can book a pre-application call with a member of our funding team from Friday 14 November for tailored advice and support.