£30,000 grants available for Newcastle, Northumberland and North Tyneside residents for community projects

Local people in the North of Tyne will be able to turn their bright ideas into reality, as Crowdfund North of Tyne returns for a fourth year, thanks to a £300,000 boost in funding from North of Tyne Combined Authority. 

Grants of between £1,000 up to £30,000 will be available to businesses, individuals, charities, and community interest companies and groups, to run community projects which help bring people together in Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland. 

The fund has already supported 62 projects across the regions inlcuding ideas turning wasteland into allotments, community beekeeping, fun days out for children, making beaches accessible for wheelchair users, helping people with food poverty and even saving a community choir. 

Projects must be based in Newcastle, North Tyneside or Northumberland and demonstrate there is public support for the idea, by crowdfunding part of the costs through an online platform. 

Ideas are then judged on the number of community backers rather than the amount of money raised. 

Following feedback from previous rounds, charities, businesses, and constituted community groups, can potentially receive up to 90% of their total project costs. Individuals working outside of these groups can apply for up to £1,000.  

North of Tyne Mayor Jamie Driscoll, said: “Crowdfund North of Tyne is different to any other funding scheme out there. It puts power back in the hands of communities.

“We’re giving people the opportunity to create projects which celebrate and improve their local areas.

“Anyone can apply, you just need a bright idea - big or small - and be really passionate about where you live.

“Originally, we were pledging around 50% funding for each project. But we saw that those communities most in need, were those struggling most with the cost-of-living crisis. We listened and now we fund up to 90% of the project costs.   

“If you can prove your community backs your idea, we’ll fund it. It’s as simple as that. 

“I want to reach people who might not usually apply for help. All you need is one bright idea to get started and my team will help you with the rest.” 

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North of Tyne Combined Authority has claimed is particularly interested in grassroots initiatives, projects which support LGBTQ+ communities, rural projects and ideas which bring people together in new ways. 

The authority has also said any eligible pitches will need to know hwo their idea meets at least one of the following ambitions:

• Supporting wellbeing and mental health
• Reduce poverty
• Reduce the impact on the environment
• Help people into jobs
• Promote lifelong learning

Funding can be used to run events and community days out, start a new group or supporting an existing one, buy new equipment, carry out repairs and run training, among many other things.  

Applications open at 10:30am on Tuesday, February 6 and close at 5pm on Friday, March 22.

For more information, to check if their ideas are eligible, residents can visit the Spacehive website. The website also offers advice on how to create a pitch and crowdfund.