Programme aims

The village halls and community buildings grant programme aims to improve facilities and accessibility in community buildings and village halls, leading to greater community participation and levels of volunteering.

Projects should aim to achieve a quantity of outputs and outcomes that is proportionate to the amount of funding being requested.

Applications to this programme should show how projects will achieve at least one, or a combination, of:

• increased new volunteering opportunities created as a result of the grant
• increased new events or activities delivered in the building as a result of the funded projects
• increased numbers of new people using the facility (number of new unique users)

Applications should confirm the numbers of outputs and outcomes that the project will achieve.

Applications should demonstrate clearly why the project requires UK shared prosperity fund community buildings and village halls support, and at the level requested.

Within your application, Question 2.3 Impact, you should include clearly which outputs and outcomes your project will achieve as well as quantifying the expected outcomes and outputs. For example:

• “number of local events or activities supported - The funding will allow us to hold 3 new additional weekend music events.”

Applications should demonstrate clearly why the project requires UK shared prosperity fund community grant support, and at the level requested.

Who can apply?

The fund is open to not-for-profit organisations including charities, unincorporated voluntary and community groups, faith groups and social enterprises who operate village halls and community buildings that are available for use by the whole community.

Who can’t apply?

As this scheme is funded by Rural England Prosperity Fund, projects in Scarborough, Harrogate and Knaresborough are unfortunately not eligible.

Applications from businesses and individuals are not eligible for this fund.

Please note: any organisation is limited to making one application only to this fund, up to the maximum amount available. However, this can include applications that have a number of separate elements and/or those which will be completed in phases.

What we will fund

The fund will support improvements to buildings and purchases of large capital equipment.

This may include, but is not limited to:

• costs relating to essential or urgent repairs and maintenance
• external and internal improvements to the community building or village hall that improve accessibility and use, for example installation of access
• ramps, disabled or gender-neutral toilets; baby changing facilities, hearing loops etc
• fixtures, fittings and large pieces of equipment
• general decoration and refurbishment costs

Please note that applicants need to provide evidence of the following:

building ownership or a long-term (minimum 20 years) lease, along with landlord’s permission for the project where applicable
any planning, licencing or other regulatory consents required for this project

As the funding window for this grant fund is short it is essential that organisations have any relevant planning consents in place prior to submitting their application.

What we won't fund

As this scheme is funded by Rural England Prosperity Fund, projects in Scarborough, Harrogate and Knaresborough are unfortunately not eligible.

Applications from businesses and individuals are not eligible for this fund.

Please note: any organisation is limited to making one application only to this fund, up to the maximum amount available. However, this can include applications that have a number of separate elements and/or those which will be completed in phases.

Ineligible expenditure includes:

• recoverable VAT
• 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
• projects that aim to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, may be referred to the UK shared prosperity fund community climate action grants programme

How much is the grant?

Organisations can apply for grants between £5,000 and £49,950. A minimum of 20% match funding is required for this programme. Match funding can be in 'cash' or 'in kind', for example using volunteer time.

Two quotes must be provided for any individual works exceeding £25,000. Below this level, demonstration that value for money has been sought will be required.

How do I apply? When’s the closing date?

We have two application forms - one for requests under £25,000 and one for requests over £25,000. Please fill in the relevant form for your project:

• North Yorkshire UKSPF Application Form (Under £25,000)
• North Yorkshire UKSPF Application Form (Over £25,000)

Please ensure you have read the guidance available on this page before applying. Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant and won't be processed until complete. Once complete, please email the form to UKSPF@yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk.

All applications must be in by the 31 May 2024. A panel will be held in mid-June to make the final award of funding. All work can then begin in early July. Please note these timescales when filling in your application form.

What happens after I apply?

Applications will be screened to check if they meet the ‘who can apply’ and ‘what we will fund’ criteria. If further information is then required, you will be contacted by an appraisal officer or the UKSPF team who may request information in more detail.

When will I find out if I’ve been successful?

Following the 31 May deadline, a panel will be held towards the middle/end of June once all applications have been assessed. All applicants will then be informed of the panel’s decision within 7 days of the panel.

What happens after my application is approved?

You will be sent a funding agreement to sign. Once you have signed this, we will then pay you the funds up front. From here you are welcome to begin your project.

What happens after I receive my grant?

All successful grant applicants are expected to take part in project evaluation activities. This will involve completing a quarterly monitoring form detailing the outputs/outcomes you have met so far, a few short sentences on the progress and then informing us of the spend you have made. At the end of the project, you will be asked to fill in an evaluation form.