A major government initiative will see up to £5 billion invested in nearly 250 communities across the UK over the next decade, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government announced on Monday.
Under the new Pride in Place Programme, each selected area will receive up to £20 million in long-term funding and support aimed at improving local neighbourhoods in ways that reflect residents’ priorities.
According to the ministry, the programme is designed to place decision making power directly in the hands of local people. Each participating area will form a Neighbourhood Board, bringing together residents, businesses, community organisations, workplace representatives, faith leaders, the local council, and the constituency MP. These boards will be responsible for identifying local needs, developing a vision for the area, and guiding projects throughout the 10 year programme.
Communities will have wide discretion over how their allocations are spent. Possible projects include upgrades to pavements and high streets, investment in cultural facilities, and improvements to parks and green spaces.
The government says the intention is to support changes that are “led by local people and backed by the UK government”, with a focus on practical improvements that make a visible difference to daily life.
The full list of communities selected for Phase 1 and Phase 2 funding will soon be available through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The department has also published guidance explaining how the scheme works and how local boards will operate.
Residents can check whether their area is included in the programme, and find further details on the ministry’s website.
Find out more about the Pride in Place programme
More information about how you can get involved in your local community, including joining or supporting new Neighbourhood Boards, will be released in the coming months by local authorities.
Additional resources around Pride in Place
