Residents invited to apply for community project funding

Over £2.9m is available for community projects through Lewisham Council’s Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy ward fund, with each ward allocated a pot of funding to support projects in that area.

The funding comes from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which the Council charges on new developments in Lewisham. Neighbourhood CIL (NCIL) is used to invest in community projects in the local area, helping to address the impact of new developments on local residents.

Residents and community groups have until 21 November to submit their ideas and proposals for projects they want to see delivered in their neighbourhood.

Residents in each ward have already identified local priorities for their area and the types of projects they want to see delivered, following a consultation process involving over 13,000 people across the borough. Projects will need to match the chosen priorities for each area, or the additional priority of supporting COVID-19 recovery.

Once bids have been submitted and reviewed, residents will help decide which projects they want to see delivered at their local assembly meetings. A recommendation will be made to Mayor and Cabinet for approval, with projects expected to commence from 1 April 2022.

Cllr Kim Powell, Cabinet Member for Business and Community Wealth Building, said:

“By involving our local communities in decisions around NCIL funding, residents will get a real say on the investment they want to see in their local area and the community projects that will benefit them most.

“It is really important that local residents see the benefits of new developments for their communities and that’s exactly what this funding will help deliver.”

Find out more information about NCIL ward funding and submit your ideas.