Formed by the City Council to ensure the Commonwealth Games produce a positive impact on the city, grants will be handed to initiatives that deliver on one of three themes - "Get Active", "Ready, Steady, Fun" and "Celebrating Culture".

The former is designed to encourage residents of all abilities to engage in physical activity, Ready, Steady, Fun includes projects to ensure an area is prepared for the arrival of the Games next summer, while the latter focuses on cultural events that "encourage intergenerational activities".

Leader of the Birmingham City Council Ian Ward said: "Our aim is for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games to be a Games for everyone, bringing people and communities across the city together.

"Through this fund residents and community groups can play a big part in a city-wide celebration.

"We want everyone to embrace our status as a Proud Host City and, thanks to this funding, there are lots of ways for communities to get involved and show how bold Birmingham really is.

"We hope Celebrating Communities will help unlock some of the local excitement and help make the events of 2022 memorable for the people of Birmingham."

The scheme is part of a wider £6 million ($8.3 million/€7 million) package assembled by the City Council to maximise the benefit and legacy of hosting the Games.

The package includes £2 million ($2.8 million/€2.3 million) for round one of the fund and a further £2 million aimed at "supporting learning, equalities and physical activity".

The deadline for second-round applications is November 30, while successful applicants from round one are yet to be named. 

Birmingham 2022 is scheduled to run from July 28 to August 8 next year.