Apply now for Capital Grants Programme 2026-27 (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 15-Sep-2026

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is inviting eligible not-for-profit sports and community organizations to apply for capital funding to develop new or enhance existing local facilities that address unmet community needs. The Capital Grants Programme supports community-led investment in sports and community infrastructure across the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area. The programme aims to improve the quality, accessibility, and inclusiveness of local facilities while promoting social inclusion, equality of opportunity, and good relations. Eligible organizations can receive grant support covering 80% of evidenced capital costs, up to a maximum grant of £120,000. The programme has a total annual capital grant fund of £600,000.

About the Capital Grants Programme

The programme is designed to respond to unmet needs in local sports and community infrastructure. Funding can be used for projects that: - Develop new sports or community facilities. - Enhance existing facilities. - Improve the quality of local infrastructure. - Increase accessibility for residents. - Address identified community needs. - Support community-led development. - Promote social inclusion and equality of opportunity. - Create facilities that are welcoming to a broad range of residents. The Council particularly encourages projects that improve access for groups that may currently be underrepresented in sports and community facilities. Who Can Benefit from the Programme? The Capital Grants Programme is intended to support local communities throughout the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area. Projects should demonstrate how improved facilities will benefit residents and address a clearly identified unmet need.

Particular consideration should be given to accessibility and participation among

- Older people. - People with disabilities. - Women and girls. - People living in areas of high social need. - Other underrepresented groups within the community. Types of Projects Supported The programme supports capital projects involving either the development of new facilities or enhancement of existing sports and community facilities. Applicants should demonstrate that their proposed project responds to a genuine local need. Projects should also show strategic relevance and explain how the investment will improve the availability, quality, accessibility, or inclusiveness of community infrastructure. Funding Available The Council will consider grant aid covering 80% of total evidenced capital costs, subject to a maximum grant of £120,000. The total annual capital grant pot is £600,000. Applicants must therefore secure the remaining 20% of project costs through other funding sources or their own organizational resources. In-kind contributions cannot be used to meet the required 20% contribution. Annual Funding Allocation The programme includes a restriction designed to ensure that funding is distributed across different sporting activities. No single sporting code can receive more than 20% of the annual £600,000 funding pot in any given year. This means applicants should be aware that funding decisions may consider the overall distribution of grants across sporting codes as well as the merits of individual projects. Match Funding Requirement Organizations must provide the remaining 20% of eligible project costs.

This contribution can come from:

- The applicant’s own resources. - Other external funding sources. However, in-kind contributions are not accepted as part of the required contribution. Applicants should therefore demonstrate clearly how the remaining project costs will be financed. Five-Year Grant Drawdown Period Capital grants must be fully drawn down within five years from the date of award. This provides successful organizations with a defined period in which to complete the funded capital investment and access the awarded grant. Applicants should consider the practical delivery schedule of their project and ensure that proposed capital works can be completed within the applicable funding period. How Grant Payments Are Made Capital grant payments are made retrospectively. This means organizations will generally need to incur and evidence eligible expenditure before receiving grant payments. An advance payment may be approved in exceptional circumstances. Applicants should therefore ensure that they have adequate financial planning and cash-flow arrangements to manage project costs during implementation. Strategic Priorities The Capital Grants Programme reflects the Council’s wider commitment to community-led development. Projects should contribute to objectives including: - Social inclusion. - Equality of opportunity. - Good relations. - Improved community participation. - Accessible local infrastructure. - Community development. - Better opportunities for underrepresented groups. Applicants should clearly demonstrate the strategic relevance of their project and explain how the proposed investment contributes to these priorities. Accessibility and Inclusion A key consideration is whether facilities are accessible and welcoming to all sections of the community. Applicants should consider the needs of groups that may experience barriers to participation.

These include:

- Older people. - People with disabilities. - Women and girls. - Residents of areas experiencing high social need. Projects that improve accessibility and encourage broader participation can contribute to more inclusive community infrastructure. Who Can Apply? Eligible applicants are properly constituted not-for-profit community and voluntary sector organizations. Applicants must meet the programme’s organizational and governance requirements.

Organizations must also:

- Be based within the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area or have their main activities there. - Be non-party political. - Have open membership. - Demonstrate sound governance. - Demonstrate appropriate financial management. - Hold appro