East Suffolk Council
Enabling Communities Budgets
The Enabling Community Budgets (ECBs) are intended to support activities delivered by community, voluntary and social enterprise organisations. A total of £412,500 has been allocated from New Homes Bonus (funding generated through new houses built in the district) for 2025/2026. This gives each of the 55 elected members of East Suffolk Council a £7,500 Enabling Communities Budget to spend to enhance existing community projects or to develop new projects in their ward to tackle local need.
Below are just a few examples of the type of projects this fund has helped previously:
- Purchase of play equipment
- Village hall/Community Centre refurbishments or purchase of equipment
- One-off events that will benefit the wider community – but please ensure that applications are sent to us at least 3 weeks before the event start date.
- New community initiatives (can include staff costs/support costs)
- Projects that will help and support people with disabilities and their carers
- Purchase of defibrillators
- Youth groups and activities
If you are a community group interested in receiving ECB funding, please contact your district councillor to discuss your project idea.
Please ensure you read and understand the guidance before completing an application.
The application form should be completed and signed by your group in liaison with the local councillor. Once complete, the application should then be sent to the councillor for them to approve and submit to East Suffolk Council’s Funding Team.
Publicity
East Suffolk Council is keen to promote how its funding is used as it stimulates other projects in the district and encourages future applications. Please acknowledge East Suffolk Council funding support in all relevant project publicity and use the council’s logo to promote our support
For further information on the guidance or application process, please email; grants@eastsuffollk.gov.uk.