Liverpool city region charities working to increase access to careers in gaming, publishing, fashion, film, advertising, TV, and music and being urged to apply for grants of up to £30,000. Tony McDonough reports

E-commerce giant Amazon is urging charities in Liverpool city region focused on upskilling people for the creative industries to apply for grants of up to £30,000.

Amazon’s Regional Creatives Fund is targeted at organisations which run programmes aimed at boosting skills and increasing access to careers in gaming, publishing, fashion, film, advertising, TV, and music.

This fund is open for applications from single charitable organisations and consortiums in Liverpool city region. Applications close on Sunday, August 31.

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.

Regional Creatives Fund grants will give charities with existing creative upskilling programmes the flexibility to address their most pressing needs.

Applications are open for small to mid-size organisations who 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.

Creative Access, the UK’s leading inclusivity organisation in the creative industries, defines underserved communities as a population proven to be under-represented in the sector.

A study from social mobility charity The Sutton Trust, shows that ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals and people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, continue to face significant barriers to entering the creative industries.

In addition to financial support, the Regional Creatives Fund will also use Amazon’s network of creative industry professionals to offer charities pro bono upskilling programmes for their organisations as well as their beneficiaries.

This will include mentoring, work experience, placement opportunities, and digital training. Support will be provided by creative minds 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 existing, impactful programme.

Grants will be awarded by an independent judging panel. The panel includes senior leaders from Amazon, The National Theatre, Arts Council England, the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Help Musicians, and Music Minds Matter.

“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 Liverpool and across the country,” said Paul Firth, director, Global Music Industry, Amazon Music.

“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. Through the Regional Creatives Fund, we want to help create a future where creativity belongs to everyone.”

For more information about the fund and to apply, click here.