East Suffolk Council is encouraging community-led organisations to share Expressions of Interest for the opportunity to receive support from the Thriving Places Investment Fund.
The Thriving Places Investment Fund, which launched in May, looks to support projects that strengthen local communities, improve access to services and create more vibrant, inclusive and resilient places across East Suffolk.
Open to community and voluntary organisations, charities, not-for-profit organisations, town and parish councils and village hall committees for the second round of funding, grants are available for projects that deliver against one or more of the fund’s four priority areas:
- Thriving local centres and enterprise – improving town and village centres, supporting small businesses and strengthening local economies
- Participation, skills and inclusion – helping people feel connected, improving access to opportunities and reducing inequalities
- Visitor economy, culture and local identity – celebrating heritage, boosting visitor appeal and strengthening pride in place
- Green economy, sustainability and infrastructure – supporting greener communities and improving the local environment
Councillor Caroline Topping, Leader of East Suffolk Council and cabinet member for Economic Development and Regeneration, said:
“We’ve had a fantastic response from community-led organisations that have applied for support in the first round of the Thriving Places Investment Fund. We were delighted with the range of projects that were presented from across the district and especially our more rural communities who may sometimes feel overlooked. We are now inviting groups to share their Expressions of Interest by Monday 7 September before we officially open for applications to eligible applicants on Monday 14 September.
“We are looking to support local projects that will make a difference to the lives of people in our communities and reduce inequalities in their area. Whether it’s using the funding to protect important local assets like buildings and facilities, improving access to services, skills or wellbeing activities, this funding is available to help areas achieve sustainable, long-term growth.”
£1.5m of funding is available over the next two financial years, comprising £1m in capital funding and £500,000 in revenue funding.
The fund offers capital grants of between £10,000 and £50,000 or revenue grants of between £5,000 and £25,000. Applicants can request up to 70% of total project costs, with the remaining 30% provided through match funding.
Applicants must first submit a short Expression of Interest, with eligible projects invited to complete a full application. Projects based within the parish boundaries of Lowestoft and Felixstowe are not eligible, although organisations based in those areas may apply for projects delivered elsewhere in East Suffolk.
Expressions of interest are now open until Monday 7 September, with applications for this round open from Monday 14 September until Friday 23 October.
