As part of our celebrations around International Day of Disabled People 2022, CAFE is pleased to confirm the applications window for the CAFE Week of Action small grants programme is now open.

To assist disabled supporters and disabled supporters’ associations (DSAs) in taking part in the campaign, CAFE introduced the CAFE Week of Action small grants programme.

This season's CAFE Week of Action - the eleventh annual global celebration of access and inclusion within sport - will take place between 11-19 March 2023.

The CAFE Week of Action small grants programme offers funding to disabled supporters and DSAs to go towards the costs of their planned activities. Grants of up to €250 are available, subject to a successful application to CAFE.

If further funding would still be required, CAFE encourages applicants to seek additional means of fundraising to generate larger budgets.

Whilst the CAFE Week of Action small grants programme is targeted primarily at disabled supporters and DSAs, consideration will be given (should any grant funding remain) where clubs would require financial support to take part in the CAFE Week of Action.

To apply for the CAFE Week of Action small grants programme, please complete the online application form.

Grant applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:

• Relevance to the CAFE Week of Action and CAFE’s aims
• Expected costs and value of the activity
• Sustainability and legacy of the activity
• Wider impact of the activity in a particular country / region
• Creativity and deliverability of the activity

50% of the grant offered will be paid before the CAFE Week of Action.

Successful applicants will be asked to complete an online report and submit photographs and videos (where appropriate) from their CAFE Week of Action activities.

The remaining 50% of the grant will be paid within 10 working days of CAFE confirming receipt of a completed report, following the CAFE Week of Action. Outstanding grant balances will not be paid where reports are not completed.

Example activities part-funded by CAFE Week of Action small grants last season include:

• Werder Bremen’s disabled supporters association invested in equipment to allow for a greater number of people to tune into audio-descriptive commentary, across all areas of the stadium and at home.
• Rollyside – the disabled supporters association at FC Groningen – hosted a grand dinner with all of its members and members of the first-team squad, promoted on national television and media.
• Dunfermline Athletic Disabled Supporters’ Club worked with their club to hold a half-time ceremony on the pitch, with local disabled athletes wearing CAFE-branded t-shirts and a commemorative shirt presented to Paralympic gold medalist, and disabled Dunfermline Athletic fan, Owen Miller.

If you have any questions regarding the CAFE Week of Action small grants programme, please email [email protected] or call +44 (0)203 355 9867.

Published 3/12/2022