CFAs: Ryde Neighbourhood Board Major Grants Pilot Programme (UK)

Deadline: 16-Oct-2026

The Ryde Neighbourhood Board Major Grants Pilot Programme is inviting applications for projects that directly benefit residents of Ryde and contribute to the town’s long-term 10-year vision. Ryde has been selected to receive £19.5 million over ten years through the Government’s Pride in Place programme. The Ryde Neighbourhood Board is responsible for helping guide how this investment is allocated to strengthen the town and improve quality of life for local residents. As part of this wider investment, the Major Grants Pilot Programme is testing the process for distributing an initial £300,000 grants pot. The programme supports projects that respond to local needs and align with Ryde’s 10-year Vision.

About the Major Grants Pilot Programme

The Major Grants Pilot Programme has been established as an initial funding opportunity under Ryde’s wider Pride in Place investment. The pilot is designed to test the process of distributing grants while supporting projects that create direct benefits for Ryde residents and communities. Successful projects should demonstrate a clear connection to Ryde’s long-term priorities and show how the proposed investment will contribute to positive local outcomes. Ryde’s £19.5 Million Pride in Place Investment Ryde has been selected to receive £19.5 million over ten years through the Government’s Pride in Place programme. The investment is intended to help strengthen the town and improve quality of life for residents. The Ryde Neighbourhood Board plays a key role in guiding how the funds are allocated. The Major Grants Pilot Programme represents an initial £300,000 grants pot within this broader long-term investment. Priority Themes for 2026–2030 Projects are expected to align with the priority themes identified for the 2026–2030 period.

These themes are:

- High Streets, Regeneration and Heritage - Skills and Education - Health and Wellbeing - Safety and Security The priorities reflect needs and aspirations identified by Ryde residents and stakeholders. Applicants should therefore clearly demonstrate how their proposed project contributes to one or more of these areas. High Streets, Regeneration and Heritage Projects under this theme can contribute to the improvement, regeneration, and conservation of Ryde’s local environment and heritage. Potential areas of focus include regeneration activities, heritage-related work, repair, conservation, and improvements that strengthen the town’s high streets. Skills and Education This priority focuses on initiatives that improve opportunities for local people to develop skills and access education. Projects may include activities involving training, learning, workforce development, or other initiatives that directly benefit Ryde residents. Health and Wellbeing The programme also supports projects that contribute to the health and wellbeing of the local community. Applicants should demonstrate how their activities can provide meaningful benefits for Ryde residents and respond to identified local needs. Safety and Security Projects can also address local safety and security priorities. Proposals should explain the local need and demonstrate how the investment will contribute to safer or more secure communities in Ryde. Who Can Apply? The Major Grants Pilot Programme is open to a broad range of organisations and partnerships.

Eligible applicants include:

- Not-for-profit organisations. - Commercial enterprises, typically small and medium-sized enterprises. - Partnerships. - Charities. - Community groups. - Faith-based organisations. - Local councils. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a clear benefit to Ryde and its communities. What Projects Can Be Funded? Funding can support a range of project activities and direct costs where they contribute to an eligible project.

Potential costs include:

- Volunteer expenses. - New staff posts. - Training. - Capital works. - Repair and conservation. - Professional fees. - Event costs. - Organisational strengthening. - Acquisition costs. The programme is intended to support new projects and investments rather than existing expenditure or activities that are already underway. What Costs Cannot Be Funded?

The grant cannot cover:

- Existing costs. - Activities that have already started. - Projects that are already underway before a funding decision is made. Applicants should therefore ensure that proposed activities have not begun before the Board makes its funding decision. Project Requirements Projects should meet several important conditions.

They must:

- Focus their benefits in Ryde. - Demonstrate a clear benefit to Ryde residents and communities. - Not have started before a funding decision is made. - Have a clear project plan. - Include defined stages. - Demonstrate a clear need for investment from the Ryde Neighbourhood Board. - Align with Ryde’s 10-year Vision. A strong proposal should clearly connect the project’s activities with local needs and the programme’s priority themes. How to Prepare a Strong Application Applicants should develop a clear and evidence-based proposal demonstrating why their project deserves investment.

Important preparation steps include:

- Identify the local need: Clearly explain the issue or opportunity the project will address in Ryde.

- Show community benefit: Describe who will benefit and how residents will experience positive outcomes.

- Connect with the 10-year Vision: Explain how the project contributes to Ryde’s long-term priorities.

- Address priority themes: Identify the relevant 2026–2030 theme or themes.

- Create a clear project plan: Break the project into defined stages and explain how implementation will take place.

- Prepare a realistic budget: Identify the direct project costs and explain why each major expenditure is necessary.

- Demonstrate need for Board investment: Explain why funding from the Neighbourhood Board is important to delivering the project.

- Avoid starting early: Do not begin the project before a fundi