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Grassroots Neighbourhood Fund – Launch Information

Published

A new Councillor-led grant scheme is launching on Wednesday 22 October 2025, to support grassroots initiatives seeking to improve health and wellbeing across Gloucestershire.  

The grant scheme will run for 18 months, and each Councillor will have up to £20,000 to support projects in their electoral division. There will be a lower limit of £250 and an upper limit of £5,000 per grant. 

The scheme will deliver funding to community initiatives that seek to make a positive impact on health and wellbeing and our local communities, for example projects which: 

  • Promote and encourage health and wellbeing for all. 

  • Promote access to nature and/or the environment. 

  • Promote healthy lifestyles. 

  • Improve digital inclusion. 

  • Encourage safer neighbourhoods and community cohesion. 

  • Enable people to build social connections and contribute to reducing social isolation and loneliness. 

  • Have a focus on individuals or groups who may be at higher risk of experiencing inequalities because of their life circumstances. 

This scheme is intended to support grassroots community organisations, therefore the following types of groups are eligible to apply: community and voluntary groups, registered charities, Community Interest Companies, Town and Parish Councils, sports groups, schools and academies and patient led groups. ‘For profit’ organisations are not eligible. 

In a change from previous Councillor-led grant schemes, the Grassroots Neighbourhood Fund will use an online application process with automated features to streamline how County Councillors confirm endorsements, how applicants submit their applications, and how the project team manages them. To support both Councillors and applicants, we've created a clear, step-by-step guide available here: How to apply | Gloucestershire County Council . There will still be paper based options for those unable to access the online forms. Please note that the application process will not be live until Wednesday 22nd October.  

All information about the new scheme is available on the dedicated webpage: www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/grassroots-neighbourhood-fund 

A Councillor ‘drop-in’ event will be held on Monday 3 November 2025 at 2pm. This will include all details about the scheme and an opportunity to ask questions. The event will be in person at Shire Hall and online on MS Teams. An invite will be sent to all Cllrs in due course. 

A Councillor FAQ document has been created and is available here: FAQs for Cllrs - Grassroots Neighbourhood Fund.docx 

A press release will be issued on Wednesday 22 October 2025 with launch information, and promotion will take place with voluntary and community sector organisations.  

If you have any queries about the scheme, please contact the team: GNF@gloucestershire.gov.uk