The Coalfields Regeneration Trust (the Trust) is an independent grant-making organisation that was established in 1999 to improve the quality of life in Britain’s coalfield communities. It is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee, governed by a board of trustees.

The aim of the Trust is to make coalfields sustainable, prosperous, viable and cohesive without support.

Working closely with partners, the Trust is a key agency promoting and achieving social and economic regeneration in the coalfields of England, Scotland and Wales.

The Trust award grants across the British coalfields. So far they have awarded grants worth approximately £150 million through their grant-making programmes. The current funding programme runs from 1 April 2008 and will close on the 31st March 2011.

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust has offices in all of the UK coalfield areas. Each office has at least one programme manager and one programme support officer. These teams provide essential support, application forms, advice and guidance to help you with your project and represent our ongoing

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust receives funds for its core activities from Communities and Local Government, The National Assembly for Wales

National Assembly for Wales

The National Assembly for Wales is a devolved assembly with power to make legislation in Wales. The Assembly comprises 60 members, who are known as Assembly Members, or AMs...

, Communities Scotland

Communities Scotland

Communities Scotland was an executive agency of the Scottish Government from 2001 to 2008. The Agency was responsible for housing, homelessness, communities and regeneration throughout Scotland....

and a number of other organisations and agencies.

As well as awarding grants, the Trust runs several programmes to specifically target issues within the UK's coalfields. These include the Family Employment Initiative (an employment programme, Game On (a football programme targeting 14-16 year olds) Sports legacy (a wider sports programme) and a Debt Response Programme (to tackle issues exacerbated by the current recession).

Family Employment Initiative

The Family Employment Initiative is an innovative area based project which has grown and seen significant success based on sound partnership principles; CRT works with key partners to tackle the issues of worklessness in targeted communities. The programme works with families and households to break down barriers and help people get into work. The Family Employment Initiative currently has offices in Shirebrook in the East Midlands (covering Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire), Featherstone in West Yorkshire, Newcastle-under-Lyme in the West Midlands. There are also two externally run programmes in Lamton in the North East and Bickershaw in the North West. A key element of the Family Emloyment Initiative is its Community Employment advisors working in outreach locations in the heart of coalfield communities making it very easy for anyone to access.

Sports Legacy

Sports Legacy is a CRT funded project that looks to develop and sustain sporting activities in former coalfield areas. With the aim of addressing issues such as cost and transport, the project gives young people the opportunity to participate in physical activity sessions linked to the 2012 Olympics, providing the springboard for a life of physical fitness and helping to promote healthy lifestyles. Sports Legacy has been granted the prestigious London 2012 Inspire mark, the badge of the London 2012 Inspire programme which recognises exceptional and innovative projects inspired by the 2012 Games.

Game On

Game On is an exciting football initiative funded by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and the Football Foundation. It was developed with the main aim of re-establishing football at the core of Coalfield communities by providing grass roots football opportunities where otherwise there would be no provision. Game On uses the power and profile of football as a vehicle to promote educational attainment, encourage healthy lifestyles, improve quality of life and encourage community spirit. The Game On project now runs in four regions the North East, East Midlands, Yorkshire and the North West.