What the Community Conversations Commissions are, what you need to apply, how to apply and what happens next.
About the Community Conversations Commissions
The Community Conversations Commissions are for Bristol based individuals or organisations to engage with underrepresented communities, such as:
- people living in areas of highest deprivation and low-income households
- disabled people, including Blind and D/deaf communities
- mental health and those with long-term health conditions
- older people experiencing isolation
- young people
- refugees and migrant communities
- ethnic minorities
The commissions are for you to develop and deliver a community project. This can be a:
- new idea or project
- proposal that builds on existing work or project you're doing
For example, events or gatherings that will bring people together to share experiences and ideas around culture, creativity and community life in Bristol.
These conversations will help shape the development of Bristol's Cultural Strategy.
Each commission is worth up to £4,500. There's a total of £31,500 available.
Projects must take place between 13 April 2026 and 15 June 2026.
The deadline for applications is 5pm, Monday 12 January 2026.
Before you start
Before filling in your application, make sure you've read the:
You need to fill in your application in one session. You cannot save your application and come back later to submit it.
We recommend you create a draft of your application using the Application form guidance template before you start the online form. You can then copy your text across.
You'll have the option to upload:
- a timeline document detailing the dates and activities for your project
- a budget document
If you want to do this, you must have these documents ready to upload when you start the form.
You can download our templates:
Apply to the Community Conversations Commissions
If you have any questions or challenges accessing the guidance document or filling in your application, email cityartsfunds@bristol.gov.uk
What happens next
When you submit your application, you'll get an acknowledgement by email.
We'll let all applicants know if their application has been successful by the end of February 2026.