What is community organising?
The introduction of a Community Organising Fund was proposed as part of Imperial College Union’s 2024 Democracy Review. The aim of the fund is to ensure underrepresented student communities are supported by removing logistical and operational barriers.
Community organising is a key pillar in one of ICU’s projects, the Advocacy and Influencing Plan, which aims to fulfil its strategic goal to be an effective advocate and influence for students. Community building is key to ICU achieving its strategic goal to facilitate fun and inclusive communities. It will also reduce barriers for students who are currently underrepresented by student communities and ICU.
Underrepresented groups are any groups that typically have lower engagement with ICU, and/or come from marginalised communities.
Criteria
The fund should only be used for Imperial student-led, student-only activity that is to build community, or to organise a group of students to lobby, campaign, or improve, a particular issue.
Proposals should focus on:
- Supporting students with typically low ICU engagement
- Supporting students with a lack of existing social opportunities, structures, or environments to feel connection and belonging at Imperial
- An issue that is time-sensitive and would benefit from a community organising approach to campaigning
- Activity addressing challenges faced by intersectional groups
- Activity, campaigns, or projects, which currently sit outside of criteria for existing funding pots, or exceeds funding that is already provided through other mechanisms
This fund should not typically be used for activity that can be funded elsewhere, may duplicate activity of clubs and societies, constituent unions, or liberation and community networks.
Where a funding proposal is rejected due to duplication, the proposer will be signposted to the most appropriate existing structure or funding pot.
How do I apply?
Any current Imperial student with an idea for addressing the criteria can apply for the fund using our online application form at 3 opportunities throughout the academic year. Students can apply for up to £1000 per academic year.
Once an application is received, it is reviewed by an ICU staff member and an elected officer panel at 3 points throughout the academic year. The outcome of each application will be communicated to the proposers within 1-month of the application deadline. The panel reviewers have the options to accept, reject, or accept with conditions.
For any questions or queries, or to talk through your application before submitting, please contact our Representation team.
What are the next steps?
After a proposal is accepted, the approved amount of money is allocated within ICU’s budgets to the proposer’s activity. The proposer must then meet with the Representation Team to discuss how they will begin operationalising their proposal. This process will include defining the project's key deliverables, delivery timeline, impact measurement methods, and approach to gathering feedback.
Once the activity has concluded, the proposer must complete an evaluation form to report on the impact of their proposal.
Key dates
| Round | Application deadline | Outcome date |
| 1 | Friday 23 October 2026 | Friday 6 November 2026 |
| 2 | Friday 12 February 2027 | Friday 26 February 2027 |
| 3 | Friday 30 April 2027 | Friday 14 May 2027 |