VE/VJ DAY 80 FUNDING

Wolverhampton to mark VE/VJ Day with citywide celebrations

City of Wolverhampton Council is calling on residents to join a nationwide wave of celebration, marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe and Victory in Japan Day (VE/VJ Day 80). To facilitate widespread participation, the Council has waived its standard road closure fees, inviting residents to celebrate this historic milestone in their own unique way.

This year’s celebrations honour the momentous announcement made by Prime Minister Winston Churchill on May 8th, 1945, at 3:00 PM BST, signalling the end of World War II in Europe after nearly six years of conflict.

Residents are encouraged to find their own way to mark this occasion, including:

· Community Gatherings: Organise events in local parks, green spaces, or community buildings.

· Street Parties: Apply for free road closures to host vibrant street parties.

· Neighbourhood Celebrations: Connect with neighbours in driveways, front gardens, or shared parking areas.

To further support community-led initiatives, the Council has allocated grants of up to £250 per event, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Celebrate VE/VJ Day 80 with a Street Party!

Join your neighbours in marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe and Japan with a memorable street party. It’s a fantastic way to connect with your community and celebrate this historic occasion.

Easy Street Closure Application:

· Apply for a FREE road closure online by April 25th, 2025: Street Parties | City Of Wolverhampton Council

Community Grants Available:

· Get up to £250 to support your VE/VJ Day 80 celebration (May 3rd-11th), funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and administered by local organisation, STEPWAY CIO.

Apply here: Application Form

Tips for a Successful Street Party:

Start with a Chat: Talk to your neighbours and plan together.

Fun for Everyone: Organize quizzes, games, and a shared food table. ·

Planning Resources:

Find free ideas and support at Street Party – Meet Neighbours in your Traffic-free Street

Kid-Friendly Fun: Create a “play street” with resources from Playing Out for safe and engaging activities. Welcome – Playing Out

Big Lunch. Get everyone involved using free resources from the Big Lunch. The Big Lunch 2025 | Eden Project Communities

Let’s make VE/VJ Day 80 a celebration to remember!

VE and VJ Day 80 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the VE and VJ Day 80 Fund?

The VE and VJ Day 80 Fund offers grants of up to £250 for groups of residents and voluntary or community organisations to organise local events commemorating VE and VJ Day 80.

On 8 May 2025, we mark 80 years of peace since the end of World War II in Europe. This event is not only a tribute to those who fought for freedom but also a powerful reminder of the resilience and unity that have defined our country ever since.

Closing Date for Applications: 25 April 2025

Who can apply?

The grant is available to:
✔ Groups of residents (subject to specific conditions)
✔ Voluntary, community, and not-for-profit organisations registered and delivering services within Wolverhampton
Eligible organisations include:
Charities
Not-for-profit organisations & social enterprises
Housing associations
Community groups
Co-operatives
Community Interest Companies (CICs)
Faith and equality groups
Voluntary organisations
📌 Schools and nurseries can apply as long as the activity is not part of statutory school duties and benefits the wider community.
📌 If applying as a non-constituted group, you must provide details of:
A named lead person
Two additional supporting individuals (For street parties, all three must reside on the relevant street.)
⚠ Important: Checks will be conducted to ensure all applications are legitimate. The lead applicant will be responsible for submitting a spending report and receipts.

How do I apply?

📍 Online Application:
Complete the form at: Application form

📍 Request a Paper Application:
Email [email protected] to request a Word document version.

📍 Deadline for Applications:
All applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday 25th April 2025.

How will the funds be paid if I am successful?

If your application is approved:

After passing verification checks, the £250 grant will be transferred via BACS within seven working days.

You will be contacted and asked to provide your organisation’s bank account details.

You will receive an email confirmation outlining the terms and conditions of the grant.

What can I spend the money on?

The grant can be used to support any activity commemorating VE and VJ Day 80.

Examples of eligible activities include:

🎉 Street parties
🍔 Community barbecues
🥗 Bring-and-share meals
🎭 Playing Out events
🍽️ Big Lunches or picnics

You can use the grant for:

✔ Bunting, decorations, and signage
✔ Refreshments and catering
✔ Equipment hire (gazebos, tables, seating)
✔ Games, activities, and entertainment
✔ Venue hire or accessibility improvements

What is NOT funded?

❌ Alcoholic drinks
❌ Fireworks
❌ Bouncy castles (unless provided by a supplier with public liability insurance – applicants must verify this themselves)

What happens once I receive the funds?

📌 You must submit:
✔ A short report detailing how the funds were spent.
✔ Receipts as proof of expenditure (photos of receipts can be emailed if preferred).
✔ Photos/videos of your event (optional but encouraged).

Could I be asked to repay the grant?

Yes. If it is found that:
The grant was obtained fraudulently, or
The terms and conditions were breached,
Then you will be required to repay the full amount.

What if my event cannot take place?

If your event cannot go ahead due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. severe weather, venue damage), you must:
Reschedule within 3–11 May 2025, if possible.
Contact us immediately if rescheduling is not possible.
In exceptional cases, you may be permitted to reschedule until the end of May 2025.
⚠ If your event does not take place at all, you must return the grant in full. It cannot be used for alternative activities.

What if my application is unsuccessful?

If you are unsuccessful:

You may reapply after seeking further guidance from our team.

Don’t be discouraged—your idea may need further development.

Limited funds (£15,000 total) mean applications will be competitive.

One grant per street/organisation is prioritised. If multiple residents on the same street apply, you are encouraged to join together.

How will my data be used?

Personal data will be used only for processing your application.

If successful, financial details will be kept for seven years.

All other personal data will be securely destroyed after one year.

Anonymised data will be shared with the City of Wolverhampton Council for planning and monitoring purposes.

How can I make my event accessible to everyone?

📍 Consider the following when planning your event:

✔ Accessibility Needs

  • Provide a space for attendees to park nearby if they have mobility issues.
  • Offer extra seating at different heights.
  • Ensure power cables do not pose a trip hazard.

✔ Dietary & Cultural Considerations

  • Offer a variety of food options, considering dietary, religious, and cultural needs.
  • Consider whether alcohol is appropriate for all guests.

✔ Timings & Religious Observances

  • Try to schedule around religious services or festivals where possible.

✔ Facilities

Consider child safety, especially around equipment, alcohol, and activities.

Provide a comfortable space for breastfeeding.

Hosting a Street Party?

📌 Wolverhampton City Council has simplified the road closure application process.
📍 To apply for a road closure, submit your application to the Council’s Safety Advisory Group by: 25 April 2025- Street Parties | City Of Wolverhampton Council

Need more information?

If you have further questions, please contact:

📧 [email protected]
📞 079306 57568

Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions

1. Use of Funds

  • Grant funds must be used exclusively for the activities outlined in the approved funding application.

2. Financial Accountability

  • Recipients must maintain clear and accurate records of all grant expenditure.
  • Receipts must be provided promptly at the end of the VE and VJ Day 80 activity.
  • A brief report detailing how the funds were used will be requested.
  • Failure to provide the required information may impact future funding eligibility.

3. Withdrawal, Repayment, and Clawback of Funds

We reserve the right to partially or fully withdraw funding if:

  • The application contains false or misleading information.
  • The funds are used for purposes not outlined in the application.
  • The project does not go ahead without a valid reason.
  • The recipient fails to meet reporting and accountability requirements.

📌 In such cases, recipients may be required to repay all or part of the grant.

4. Unspent Funds

  • Any grant funds not used for the approved purpose by the end of May 2025 must be returned in full.
  • If a project is cancelled or partially completed, any unused portion of the grant must be repaid.
  • Recipients must notify us immediately if they anticipate not using all awarded funds.

5. Publicity and Acknowledgment

  • Grant recipients must acknowledge the funding from the City of Wolverhampton Council VE and VJ Day 80 Community Grant in any publicity materials related to the project.
  • Wherever possible, the following wording should be inserted in any publicity, media or social media related to your activity. “This event is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.”

6. Legal Compliance

  • Recipients are responsible for ensuring that their project complies with all relevant laws and regulations, including:
    ✔ Safeguarding
    ✔ Insurance requirements
    ✔ Health and safety laws
  • Any necessary permissions (e.g. from landowners or local authorities) must be secured before the project begins.
  • The funding cannot be used for private family events and must benefit the wider community

7. Decision Making

All grant decisions are final.