Local Community Fund
- Funding
- Contact funder
- Deadline
- Check with the funder
- Location
- Essex
- Applications
- Check the current application window with the funder
Overview
Essex County Council runs the Local Community Fund, which pays for youth, community and climate projects in Essex through nominations from County Councillors. There is no open application round. Organisations ask their local County Councillor to consider them, and councillors put schemes forward with their district colleagues. In 2025 to 2026 the council allocated £5,000 per County Councillor in each district. Earlier years were £5,300 (2024 to 2025) and £4,000 (2023 to 2024). These are councillor budgets, not set award sizes for your group. Spending must fit one of three themes: Youth Provision, Levelling Up the Community, or Climate Action. In 2025 to 2026 nominations ran from July 2025 to January 2026. The funder's website gives no dates for a later round, so ask your councillor about timing. The council publishes an annual report for each year as a spreadsheet listing the schemes funded. The funder's website does not list example projects or costs.
Requirements to check
Also open to: community groups
Key requirements:
- Schemes are nominated by County Councillors, so you need to contact your local County Councillor.
- Spending must fit one of three themes: Youth Provision, Levelling Up the Community, or Climate Action.
- Funding is allocated per County Councillor within each district. In 2025-26 this was £5,000 per councillor.
Who it is for
- Organisations nominated by their local Essex County Councillor
- Projects or purchases under the Youth Provision theme
- Projects or purchases under the Levelling Up the Community theme
- Projects or purchases under the Climate Action theme
- Schemes put forward by County Councillors with their district colleagues
Who it is not for
- Organisations that have not been nominated by a County Councillor
- Projects or purchases that fit none of the three themes: Youth Provision, Levelling Up the Community, Climate Action
Your organisation needs to be nominated by your local Essex County Councillor, who works with their district colleagues to put schemes forward. The project or purchase must fit one of three themes: Youth Provision, Levelling Up the Community, or Climate Action. The page does not list any other eligibility rules or exclusions.
This summary may not include every exclusion. Check the full eligibility rules, including who and what the funder will not support.
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Start freeWho is this for?
Organisations with youth, community or climate projects who would like a local County Councillor to nominate them for funding.
Sectors
Regions
No published award history for Essex County Council. Some funders do not publish their grants data.
Full details from Essex County Council
Essex County Councillors nominate schemes or projects in partnership with district colleagues, with £5,300 per County Councillor per district available for 2024 to 2025. Funding must be spent on projects aligned to one of three themes: Youth Provision, Levelling Up the Community, or Climate Action. Organisations wishing to be considered should contact their local County Councillor.
How to apply
Contact your local County Councillor and ask them to consider your organisation for funding. Councillors nominate schemes or projects to the Local Community Fund with their district colleagues. The page does not describe a separate application form.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply to the Essex County Council Local Community Fund?
You do not apply directly. The funder's website says to contact your local County Councillor if you would like your organisation to be considered, as councillors nominate schemes with their district colleagues.
How much can I get from the Essex Local Community Fund?
No award range is given. The fund allocated £5,000 per County Councillor in each district for 2025 to 2026, which is the councillor budget, not a grant size.
What can the Essex Local Community Fund be spent on?
Money had to be spent on projects or purchases under one of three themes: Youth Provision, Levelling Up the Community, or Climate Action.
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Create free accountLast updated: 9 November 2026