North Kesteven Flourishing Communities Grant

North Kesteven District Council has allocated £22,425 of UK Shared Prosperity Funds (UKSPF) for 2025/26 to the Flourishing Communities Grant (FCG).  Please note, there is currently £18,930 available to allocate from the FCG funding pot.

The purpose of the Flourishing Communities Grant is to support community sector organisations to make their communities healthier, safer and more inclusive, providing funds by way of small grants of up to £1,500.

The fund is for capital only projects.

Example of projects and expenditure could include:

• Physical and mental health and wellbeing: community allotments and gardens, sensory equipment, play equipment.
• Social inclusion: (reducing isolation and promoting cohesion) Hearing loops, computers, equipment to support groups/activities, PA and audio/visual systems.
• Active lifestyles: including sports, cycling, walking etc. Bike storage facilities, sports and indoor leisure equipment, walking routes and trials, benches, signage.
• Access and accessibility: Ramps, pathway improvements.
• Youth activities: (excluding uniformed groups). Craft supplies, musical instruments, laptops, sports and leisure equipment.
• Tourism, culture, heritage and arts: interpretation boards, heritage trails,
  Community Environmental improvements: Landscaping, rewilding, planting, fencing, hedging etc.
• Events: Christmas or other community events.

These are some specific examples of projects that have recently been agreed:

• A proposal from a Parish Council to replace x2 Defibrillators that were 11 years old and no longer supported by a maintenance contract or software updates.
• A proposal from a Sports Club to purchase various equipment that will improve and upgrade their existing facilities.

All awarded projects must be complete by Sunday 1st March 2026.

Who is eligible?

Parish Councils, community trusts and not for profit groups, social enterprises, local charities, and other organisations including community sports clubs, fitness groups, theatre groups, societies etc.

Private individuals and private businesses are not eligible to apply.

What cannot be funded:

• Village Halls – DEFRA Jubilee Fund covers improvements to village halls.
• EV Charging Points – already covered by existing government grant schemes.
• Building works and refurbishments.
• All vehicles including bicycles, caravans etc.
• All revenue costs including but not limited to:
  • Volunteer costs and expenses, training, consultancy, premises costs, professional fees, feasibility studies.
  • Digital resources and software including licenses, running costs and overheads, including insurance, and subscriptions.
  • Employment costs or wages.
  • Political or predominantly religious activities.
  • Activities already funded by statutory provision.
  • Animal welfare.
  • Grant making bodies applying for funding to redistribute to others.