Community Buildings Programme

• Installing ramps, lifts, or automatic doors
• Accessible and inclusive toilets and changing facilities
• Visual and hearing enhancements (e.g. induction loops, tactile signage)
• Widening doorways and improving interior navigation
• Improving lighting, signage and access

• A village hall installs an accessible toilet and ramps at all entrances to accommodate wheelchair users
• A local arts centre fits an induction loop system and subtitled screens for the hearing impaired
• A community centre installs gender-neutral toilets, baby changing facilities or a changing space to improve access and inclusion

• Creating and improving indoor fitness, wellbeing or group activity spaces
• Improving ventilation, air quality and natural lighting
• Designing spaces for mental health support, mindfulness or social prescribing including outdoor spaces and gardens
• Adding kitchen facilities or growing spaces for healthy cooking
• Enhancing outdoor access such as gardens or walking routes connected to the site

• A community centre renovates an underused room into a warm, well-lit yoga and mindfulness studio
• A library adds a kitchen and dining space to host healthy eating on a budget workshops
• A youth hub develops an outdoor garden and walking path to support nature-based mental health activities

Capital Grants up to £49,950

There is a match funding requirement of 20% of the total costs. Match funding can be in ‘cash’ or ‘in kind’, for example using volunteer time.

Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations; Town and Parish Councils 

This may include (but is not limited to):

• External and internal improvements to the Community Building or Village Hall property that improves accessibility and use
• Fixtures, fittings and large pieces of equipment.

• Costs related to buildings or improvements not available for use by the whole community, for example costs related to buildings or parts of buildings whose sole use is for political or religious purposes
• General maintenance or repairs
• Recoverable VAT

• Applicants must provide evidence of financial stability, including recent accounts.
• Must demonstrate the ability to manage the grant funds responsibly

Security of tenure: Applicants must either own the building or provide evidence of the long-term lease commitment to the building, with landlord permission for the proposed project where applicable. If the overall tenure is less than 10 years, applicants must provide evidence that it is renewable

• Organisations that have previously received funding from this programme must have successfully completed and reported on past projects to be eligible for new funding
• If the programme is over-subscribed, priority will be given to those organisations that have NOT previously received funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund or the Village Halls and Community Buildings Grant Programme 2024

9 June 2025

4th August 2025 

• All capital grant funding must be spent by 31st March 2026
• All listed outputs and outcomes can be recorded up to 31st March 2026

• Initial Review: The programme team will conduct an initial review to ensure all required information is provided
• Evaluation: Applications are evaluated based on criteria such as alignment with the aims of the priority themes, community impact, deliverability and sustainability
• Site Visit: A site visit may be conducted to assess the project’s viability and gather additional information

• Appraisal: The application will be internally officer appraised and then presented to an appraisal panel for a final decision
• Approval: Successful applicants are notified and provided with a grant agreement outlining the terms and conditions
• Feedback: Unsuccessful applicants receive feedback on their application and may be invited to reapply in future rounds if funding is available

Grant Agreement: Sign the grant agreement, which includes the project timeline, reporting requirements, and payment schedule

Grants will not be paid until the funding agreement has been signed by your authorised signatory

• Progress Reports: For larger projects interim progress reports may be requested detailing the status of the project, milestones achieved, and any challenges encountered. The applicant will be responsible for informing the Council of any material changes and/or serious delays to the project
• Final Report: A comprehensive final report upon project completion, summarising the outcomes, the intended benefits, any unexpected outcomes or benefits, the impact on the community, and any lessons learned. Applicants may be requested to provide a case study or to contribute to showcase events.
• Site Visits: Periodic site visits may be carried out by the Programme Team to ensure compliance with the grant terms and to provide support.

All applicants will be required to explain how their project delivers positive outcomes in respect of protecting the environment and reducing carbon emissions. Guidance can be found here: Routemap to Carbon Negative

All applicants will be required to explain how they have ensured no discrimination will occur in respect of the legally protected characteristics identified in the Equalities Act 2010.

If successful applicants are procuring any external organisations to deliver any element of this project, they should undertake a transparent and proportionate process to ensure the expenditure delivers best value and the quality standards required for your project. For any individual works exceeding £5,000 you should be able to demonstrate that you have obtained competitive quotes and/or checked publicly available pricing, for example websites or catalogues. 

All projects will be required to complete an evaluation which outlines the delivery of identified outputs and outcomes, as well as a broader assessment of the success of the project delivery and what might have been improved.

Funding for capital grants and development grants will be paid up front, but all organisations will be required to provide evidence of spending, in line with their approved application and funding agreement. Funding will not be payable for any activity undertaken after 31 March 2026.