Ipswich Borough Council has opened applications for a new £1.5m Pride in Place Community Buildings Fund, part of wider Pride in Place Impact Fund investment awarded to the town. The Ipswich Pride in Place Community Buildings Fund will support capital projects that improve or create spaces used by local people.
The funding is intended to strengthen communities across Ipswich by backing schemes that enhance community buildings, refurbish cultural and heritage assets, and improve facilities linked to health, wellbeing and community cohesion. The Ipswich Pride in Place Community Buildings Fund forms one element of a broader programme focused on improving community spaces, improving public spaces, and supporting high street and town centre revitalisation.
Projects eligible for support through the Ipswich Pride in Place Community Buildings Fund include proposals for community groups to take ownership of disused assets, improvements to buildings already in community ownership, or refurbishment of assets owned by public bodies for community activity. Funding can also be used to create or improve maker spaces, galleries, theatres, museums, libraries, cultural or heritage sites, and sports facilities.
The fund seeks to create new or improved spaces that build strong, resilient, prosperous and inclusive communities. It also aims to improve health and wellbeing and increase pride in neighbourhoods across Ipswich. Applicants will need to demonstrate how their proposals meet one or more of these outcomes, with successful projects required to use an evaluation framework to measure progress.
There is no upper or lower limit on funding requests. Applications will be assessed based on the potential community outcomes delivered by each proposal rather than the size of the bid. All awards made through the Ipswich Pride in Place Community Buildings Fund are capital grants and must be spent on building fabric, indoor spaces, large equipment purchases, and associated costs. Revenue expenses such as staffing, overheads, or utilities are not eligible.
Cllr Neil MacDonald, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said:
“This funding is a fantastic opportunity to invest in the spaces that bring our communities together. By improving and creating places where people can connect, learn and thrive, we’re building a stronger, more inclusive Ipswich. We are committed to supporting community-driven projects that reflect local priorities and empower residents to shape the future of their neighbourhoods. I encourage local organisations to come forward with ideas that will make a real difference to our town.”
Ipswich Borough Council is acting as the accountable body for the Ipswich Pride in Place Community Buildings Fund. Grants will be distributed to eligible organisations including voluntary organisations and registered charities, public sector bodies, higher and further education institutions, private sector companies, and religious organisations delivering community projects aligned with the fund’s objectives.
The first round of applications is open now and will close at 5pm on Friday 27 February 2026. Applicants are required to complete an Expression of Interest form, setting out an indicative funding amount, proposed use of the grant, and the benefits for local people. Organisations successful at this stage will be asked to provide further information, proportionate to the amount requested, before final decisions are made. Grant awards are expected to be confirmed from late March onwards, subject to due diligence checks.
