Applications open for Stanley SuDS+ Community Fund (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 02-Oct-2026

The Stanley SuDS+ Community Fund invites local groups, schools, charities, and other eligible organisations to apply for grants supporting projects that improve green spaces, strengthen community resilience, and build social connections in Stanley, County Durham. Grants of £1,000 to £5,000 are available for community-led projects that contribute to environmental, social, and wellbeing improvements.

About the Stanley SuDS+ Community Fund

The Stanley SuDS+ Community Fund is part of a five-year initiative in Stanley, County Durham, focused on reducing flood risk while delivering wider environmental, social, and wellbeing benefits. The fund supports community-led projects that contribute to the Stanley SuDS+ vision and help local residents take greater ownership of their environment and communities. The fund is administered by Groundwork London in collaboration with Groundwork North East & Cumbria on behalf of Isle Utilities. The initiative is supported by partners including: - Arup. - Durham County Council. - Environment Agency. - Isle Utilities. - Northumbrian Water. - Teesside University. - Veridian Logic. - Wear Rivers Trust. - Local community groups and residents. Funding Available Eligible applicants can apply for grants ranging from £1,000 to £5,000. Funding can support both capital and revenue costs associated with eligible community projects.

Supported costs may include:

- Equipment. - Plants and materials. - Sessional workers. - Workshops. - Volunteer support. - Project promotion. - Travel. - Refreshments. - Other related project costs. Who Can Apply? The fund is open to a broad range of community and not-for-profit organisations.

Eligible applicants include:

- Constituted community organisations. - Not-for-profit community interest companies. - Registered charities. - Education establishments. - Religious organisations. - Companies limited by guarantee. - Friends of groups. - Tenants and residents associations. - Unconstituted community groups. Applicants must be based in or deliver work within one of the eligible areas. Eligible Areas Projects must be based in or deliver work in one of the following areas: - South Moor & Quaking Houses. - South Stanley. - East Stanley. - Craghead & The Middles. This geographic focus ensures that funding directly benefits communities participating in the Stanley SuDS+ initiative. Stanley SuDS+ Vision Areas Projects should align with one or more of the fund’s vision areas.

These include:

- Creating pride and ownership over the local environment. - Developing vibrant and accessible public spaces. - Strengthening community networks. - Providing training and education for future workplaces. - Supporting job opportunities. - Improving housing quality and affordability. - Enhancing community resilience to flooding. Projects that address environmental and community needs while strengthening local resilience are particularly relevant to the fund. What Projects Can the Fund Support? The fund can support a wide range of community-led environmental, educational, social, and resilience projects.

Examples include:

- Community gardens. - Food-growing initiatives. - Biodiversity projects. - Rain gardens. - Small-scale Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) features. - Environmental education activities. - Flood awareness projects. - Environmental volunteering. - Skills training. - Employability programmes. - Improvements to community spaces. Green Space and Biodiversity Projects Funding can help communities create and improve green spaces that provide environmental and social benefits. Projects could include community gardening, food-growing areas, planting schemes, biodiversity improvements, or activities that encourage residents to become more involved in caring for local outdoor spaces. Sustainable Drainage and Flood Resilience A key part of the Stanley SuDS+ initiative is reducing flood risk. Projects can contribute to this objective through activities such as: - Rain gardens. - Small-scale SuDS features. - Flood awareness activities. - Community volunteering related to flood resilience. - Environmental projects that improve local water management. These activities can help communities understand and respond to local flooding challenges while improving the surrounding environment. Community Spaces and Social Connections The fund also supports projects that bring people together and improve shared community spaces.

Projects can strengthen:

- Community networks. - Social connections. - Local participation. - Pride in neighbourhoods. - Access to welcoming public spaces. - Community ownership of local environmental assets. Training, Skills and Employment Projects can also focus on developing skills and improving opportunities for local residents.

Eligible activities may include:

- Skills training. - Environmental education. - Employability programmes. - Training connected to future workplaces. - Activities that support local job opportunities. These projects can help connect environmental improvements with longer-term social and economic benefits. Community Resilience The fund aims to help communities become more resilient to environmental and social challenges, particularly flooding. Community resilience projects can combine practical environmental action with education, volunteering, skills development, and stronger local networks. By supporting residents to participate directly in local projects, the fund can help build knowledge, confidence, and collective responsibility. Benefits of the Fund The Stanley SuDS+ Community Fund provides local organisations with an opportunity to turn community ideas into practical projects.

Supported projects can help:

- Improve local green spaces. - Increase biodiversity. - Encourage community participation. - Strengthen social connections. - Improve environmental awareness. - Build flood resilience. - Create more accessible community spaces. - Develop local skills. - Support employability. - Encourage pride