The Supporting Partners Programme 2025/26 awards almost £1 million to projects that empower Service partners to thrive.
A further 17 projects have been awarded almost £1 million (www) to help promote skills and experience in the workplace, enhance access to vital services, and improve wellbeing.
Compared to last year, this year’s Supporting Partners Fund allocated over 20% more funding to projects and received more overseas applications than ever before.
Bigger budget, bigger impact
Here are some of the important projects that have been awarded grants in the latest round of funding under the Supporting Partners Programme.
AI training initiative to bring new opportunities to partners, worldwide
The British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) (www) provides a range of media outlets and events for British forces and their families. Supporting Partners Funding will help to deliver an online and in person training programme for Service partners, worldwide.
The programme aims to equip Service partners with skills and confidence to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools in their everyday lives and work. This will help open new opportunities for employment, self-employment and further education.
Building futures through business support
Enterprise Pathways for Forces Partners is a comprehensive business start-up support programme delivered by X-Forces Enterprise (www), for Service partners.
This programme offers specialist guidance tailored to individual business ideas, for those in the UK, overseas bases, and online.
Supporting partners across Wales
Adferiad (www) is a member-led charity that campaigns for and provides services to people affected by mental ill health, drug or alcohol use, gambling harms, and other challenging circumstances.
The charity has been awarded a grant to deliver an 18-month, Wales-wide programme aimed at supporting partners with volunteering and employment.
There are 14 more projects which have been awarded funding – all just as important and dedicated to improving the experience of life for Service partners. Read about all 17 projects (www) and the impact they will make.
What is the Supporting Partners Programme?
Armed Forces (Regular and Reserve) partners make incredible sacrifices and face unique demands. Whether it’s relocating from loved ones, dealing with the emotional impact of separation or navigating employment.
The Supporting Partners Programme recognises the crucial role and impact of Service partners and provide grants to help serving partners to navigate the challenges that can come with Service life.
The programme is part of the Armed Forces Families and Safeguarding (AFFS) Armed Forces Families Fund (AF3) – funded by Defence and managed on Defence’s behalf by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
This programme supports the MOD UK Armed Forces Families Strategy 2022 – 32 (www) by funding projects which address challenges faced by Service families.
What’s new for 2025/26?
Building on last year’s success, the programme expanded eligibility for Overseas projects and increased the funding limit to £70,000 per project. This year, there were 43 applications from the UK, and more overseas applications than ever before.
Recognising the complexity and diversity of challenges that partners may face with Service life, the programme awarded applications that align with the UK Armed Forces Families Strategy more broadly.
To receive funding, projects had to demonstrate how they support one or more of the following outcomes:
- Improving mental health and wellbeing of Service partners, with consideration to modern family dynamics.
- Promoting greater understanding of the unique challenges faced by Service partners among Service providers and employers.
- Improving access to support for Service partners, including non-UK nationals.
- Increase the skills and confidence of Service partners through additional opportunities to explore new ways of working and/or to change careers.