Join our global community of changemakers by starting a project. You’ll get everything you need to make an impact in your community.
See full terms & conditions.
If you apply with a proven idea...
Funding is allocated to those who successfully complete the challenge on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you apply with your own project...
Wait for your application to be reviewed. We'll let you know if it was successful by 13 Dec, 2024 (GMT).
Funding is allocated after the closing date, when we review all of the project applications. We'll let you know if your project was successful by 13 Dec, 2024 (GMT).
Empowering individuals and communities as citizen scientists to understand, monitor, and protect their local freshwater bodies.
STEM Leaders Programme (14-16 years old)
STEM Leaders encourages learners to inspire, lead and mentor their peers through the creation and delivery of STEM activities and events.
Organise a free meeting place in your community to repair things instead of throwing them away.
STEM Leaders Programme (11-13 years old)
STEM Leaders encourages learners to inspire, lead and mentor their peers through the creation and delivery of STEM activities and events.
FIRST® LEGO® League Discover (IRL/UK)
Lead a hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) programme in your school or community for 4-6 year-olds.
FIRST® LEGO® League Explore (IRL/UK)
Lead a hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) programme in your school or community for 6-9 year-olds.
FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge (IRL/UK)
Lead a hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) programme in your school or community for 9-16 year-olds.
Organize an Hour of Code™ and join a global movement introducing tens of millions of students worldwide to computer science.
A grassroots movement of neighbors feeding neighbors through the creation of little free pantries.
Have your own idea or existing project? Read the terms & conditions, then submit your own project for funding.
Applications close end of 1 Nov, 2024 (GMT).
We aim to make the application process as quick and easy as possible.
If applying to start a proven idea in your community, you will be asked for details such as the address of your project, and your motivation for starting the project in a short application form. Once you apply you will start the 30 Day Challenge. Funding is allocated to applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more.
If applying with your own project, you will be asked to share a project description, its potential impact, and scope, along with some other details in an application form. We will review your application in the context of the fund criteria and other applications. If it is allocated funding, you will then have to complete one or two very simple steps within 30 days. Learn more.
You are required to share the progress and outcomes of your project with us, the impact data will be shared with our partners.
Funding is allocated to applicants that start a proven idea on successful completion of the 30 Day Challenge on a first come, first served basis. Applicants who submit their own project will undergo a review by our team before being allocated funding.
The funding allocated to your project is divided into two payments.
Funds can be used to cover:
Funds cannot be used to cover:
You must have a bank account to receive funding. Once you’ve successfully completed the required steps within 30 days, you can enter your bank details on the ChangeX website to facilitate the bank transfer through a secure payment provider. ChangeX will then review your application to make sure all elements have been completed successfully before making the payment transfer to your account.
The amount of funding available for your project depends on the idea you choose or the needs of your project. For proven ideas, funding amounts align with the cost of starting each project in your region. The maximum amount of funding available per project is stated in the green box above.
Individuals and informal organisations can apply for and receive funding for one project at a time. You must report back on the impact of any previously funded projects to be able to apply to start a new project. Informal organisations include groups or associations that are not legally registered organisations.
Legally registered organisations can apply for and receive funding for up to three different projects at a time, as long as each application and the resulting project is submitted and led by a different member of the organisation's team. If multiple projects will take place at the same location, they must be different.
Organisations must be legally registered in the country where they operate, they often include non-profits, schools, libraries, and other legally registered community groups.
If you have applied previously and failed the 30 Day Challenge or your project was not selected to receive funding, you are eligible to submit a new application. If you received funding in the past and did not report back on the impact of the project, you are not eligible to apply again.
If you require any additional support to complete the application process or access resources please contact [email protected] and we will help.
The Microsoft Wales Community Fund provides an opportunity for communities to come together in creating vibrant and sustainable environments across Newport, Wales. We are thrilled to support local initiatives throughout Wales and look forward to witnessing the collective impact we can achieve in building healthier, more sustainable communities.
Gurjit Bains
Microsoft Community Affairs Team