Women's Diversionary Activity Grants

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) are awarding grant funding to voluntary and community organisations to support women aged 18+ in, and at risk of escalating within, the criminal justice system (CJS).

This funding is termed the ‘Women’s Diversion Fund’ (WDF).  The Fund is made up of investment of £25.6m between 1 January 2027 to 31 March 2029.  Grants will be competed in 12 lots, based on probation region. Grants from £60,000 to £475,000 are available.

Applicants must be a voluntary sector organisation(s) or consortium and shall be a registered charity, an exempt charity (as per the charities Act 2011, Schedule 3) or a social enterprise.

Applicants must also be:

• A single entity which will deliver the Funded Activities or
• A lead organisation working with other organisations developing elements of the work or
• An umbrella consortium formed from a number of organisations with shared objectives and agreed arrangements for leadership and governance.

The purpose of the Fund is to deliver support to women in the Criminal Justice System (CJS) that will help divert them away from further involvement in the CJS, particularly custody.  In doing so, the Fund aims to support several MoJ strategic and operational objectives:

• Supporting the ambition to reduce the number of women in prison by funding services and interventions which are targeted at reducing further contact with the CJS and diverting women from custody.
• Responding to the recommendation of the Independent Sentencing Review which called for sustainable, long-term funding for Women’s Centres, by providing multi-year income for successful Applicants.
• Aligning with the recommendations of the Women’s Justice Board report which highlighted the need for a whole system approach (WSA) centred around gender-specific, trauma-informed support for women in the CJS.
• Supporting wider government priorities including tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG), improving community safety, and the Safer Streets Mission by supporting women with a range of needs.

To apply, interested parties must create or log into an account on the MoJ eSourcing Portal (Jaggaer) to start an application.

The deadline is 10am on 24 July 2026.