England’s community groups invited to apply for share of £2.5m fund

A new round of the Common Ground Award is taking applications from eligible voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations. The scheme is intended to improve shared spaces and support activities that help people from different backgrounds meet, build relationships and feel part of their local area.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government says 211 projects were backed in the first phase. Unlike general running-cost support, the latest award is a competitive fund for capital spending: improvements to buildings, facilities, spaces and equipment.

How much can organisations apply for?

Individual organisations can normally bid for £20,000 to £50,000. Applications of up to £100,000 may be considered in exceptional circumstances where need and potential impact can be demonstrated. Groups applying together as a consortium can seek between £100,000 and £250,000.

Projects are expected to show how the investment would help bring people together. That might involve renovating a community meeting place or buying equipment that makes an existing local service more accessible. Funding is not guaranteed: applications will be assessed against the published criteria.

Examples from the first round

Earlier awards included £28,472 for Accrington Stanley Football in the Community in East Lancashire to buy a minibus for health, education, sport and wellbeing work. Footprints in the Community, in Redcar and Cleveland, received £9,559 for improvements to its Community Café.

Both are examples identified by the government of relatively practical investments intended to help local organisations reach more people. They do not mean every project, or every type of activity, will qualify for this year’s fund.

Application deadline is approaching

Applications opened on 14 September and are due by 12 October 2026. The government expects to notify successful applicants in December, with payments likely in January 2027.

Organisations considering a bid should consult the official prospectus and application service rather than relying only on a headline grant range. A project should have a clear purpose, a realistic budget and evidence that it would benefit the wider community.