Purpose

The Community-Led Programme is a flagship GMVRU violence reduction intervention, established to support communities disproportionately affected by violence through a place-based, strengths-based and preventative approach. The programme recognises that communities are best placed to identify local needs, develop solutions and build sustainable responses to violence affecting children and young people.

Since its inception, the programme has supported the development of local community alliances across Greater Manchester, bringing together residents, community organisations, public services and wider partners to co-design and deliver locally informed responses to serious violence. Independent evaluation has demonstrated positive outcomes, including improved partnership working, strengthened community engagement, increased trust between communities and services, and enhanced coordination of early intervention support.

Bolton CVS has successfully administered and coordinated the Community-Led Programme on behalf of the 10GM network since 2020 and is well placed to undertake the role given its experience and existing governance arrangements. Bolton CVS will continue to distribute funding to local community alliances and support strategic coordination through the provision of Violence Reduction Alliance Facilitators and VCSE leadership arrangements.

Approving this grant will provide continuity of delivery, maintain community capacity and infrastructure, and enable the next phase of community-led violence reduction activity across Greater Manchester.

Decision

GMCA (Violence Reduction Unit) wishes to award a grant of £1,645,586 to Bolton Community Voluntary Services (Bolton CVS) for the period 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 to support the delivery, coordination and administration of the Community-Led Programme across Greater Manchester on behalf of the 10GM network. Bolton CVS will continue to act as the accountable body for programme administration and distribution of funding to local delivery partners across all ten Greater Manchester districts. Funding will be provided through the Greater Manchester Integrated Settlement and Safer & Stronger Communities budgets.