Unleash your community’s potential! The new Leeds Community Power Fund, backed by £200,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, is offering grants of £10,000-£20,000 to grassroots organisations in Leeds to ignite local change, with applications open until 11 August 2025 by contacting Leeds City Council.
What is the Leeds Community Power Fund and how can local organisations apply?
The Leeds Community Power Fund, backed by £200,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, offers grants of £10,000-£20,000 to grassroots organisations for projects in Leeds. Eligible groups can apply until 11 August 2025 by contacting Leeds City Council for an application pack.
Introduction to the Leeds Community Power Fund
Grassroots organisations across Leeds are being presented with a new opportunity to drive change within their localities. Through a significant financial commitment provided by the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the Leeds Community Power Fund has opened its application process. This initiative is designed to support local projects that foster engagement, influence, and practical involvement in community spaces, with the aspiration to benefit the city’s diverse population.
A total of £200,000 has been allocated for this programme, with individual grants ranging from £10,000 to £20,000. The key objective is to empower local groups that demonstrate the potential to create lasting, positive impact in Leeds communities. Eligible organisations are encouraged to propose projects that will be implemented between September 2025 and March 2026, providing a focused time frame for action and results.
Speaking on behalf of Leeds City Council, Councillor Mary Harland, the executive member for communities, customer service and community safety, stated: “We’re excited to launch the Leeds Community Power Fund that will build on the skills and assets of people and places, and give more power to the communities.” This sentiment encapsulates the Council’s broader vision for inclusivity and local empowerment.
Shifting Power to Local Communities
The philosophy underpinning the Leeds Community Power Fund is the belief that communities themselves are best placed to identify and solve the challenges they face. By shifting both resources and decision-making authority directly to grassroots organisations, the programme is designed to facilitate greater influence over local plans, initiatives, and public services.
A core principle of the community power approach is the recognition of the unique perspective and expertise that community members hold. The fund aims to support small groups of individuals who are motivated to address the issues that matter most within their neighbourhoods. In the words of Councillor Harland, “We recognise that to tackle and reduce inequality, increase diversity, and improve the impact of our services and people’s experience of them, we need to embrace and reinforce community power. This is at the heart of our ambition to make Leeds the best city in the UK.”
Practical examples of projects that could benefit from this funding include:
- Initiatives to reduce social isolation and promote wellbeing
- Programmes designed to foster community safety and cohesion
- Activities that celebrate cultural diversity and encourage participation in local decision-making
With the closing date for applications set for Monday, 11 August 2025, community groups are being urged to prepare their submissions promptly.
Application Process and Support
Organisations wishing to apply for funding or seeking additional information are invited to contact the Leeds City Council via UKSPF@Leeds.gov.uk to receive an application pack. The structured application process is intended to ensure clarity and fairness, enabling a diverse range of groups to access the available resources.
Applicants are expected to outline how their projects will deliver tangible benefits and align with the fund’s objectives. Key criteria include:
- Demonstrating strong community engagement and participation
- Outlining measurable outcomes and impact
- Ensuring sustainability beyond the funding period
Support is available throughout the process to help organisations develop their proposals. This reflects the fund’s commitment to accessibility and equity, ensuring that even the smallest grassroots groups can compete for funding on a level playing field.
The Broader Context: UK Shared Prosperity Fund
The Leeds Community Power Fund is part of a larger national initiative supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the United Kingdom by investing in local communities, supporting businesses, and enhancing people’s skills.
According to the official prospectus, the fund’s objectives include boosting local economies, reducing regional inequalities, and enabling more sustainable and inclusive growth. Leeds is one of several cities benefiting from this strategic investment, reflecting its status as a thriving and dynamic urban centre.
By enabling local projects to flourish, the broader ambition is to ensure that the benefits of economic growth are widely shared, with particular attention to addressing entrenched inequalities and empowering underrepresented groups. The Community Power Fund is a practical expression of this vision, offering real-world support to those who are best placed to drive change from within their own communities.
For more in-depth information about the national programme, potential applicants and interested parties can consult the full prospectus via the UK Government’s website.
- The Leeds Community Power Fund offers grants of £10,000-£20,000 to grassroots organisations in Leeds.
- The fund is backed by £200,000 from the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
- The primary objective is to empower local groups to drive change and create lasting positive impact in Leeds communities.
- Applications are open until August 11, 2025, by contacting Leeds City Council for an application pack.
- The initiative aims to shift resources and decision-making authority directly to communities, supporting projects that address local challenges and foster engagement.