Ealing's seven town teams are taking bids from £150 to £15,000 for local projects. Southall has the biggest fund at £175,000. Apply by 1pm on 3 December.
Residents, community groups, schools and businesses in Ealing’s seven towns can bid for a share of £486,000 for local projects, Ealing Council said on Thursday 29 October. Applications must be in by 1pm on Thursday 3 December.
The money is handed out through Your Voice Your Town, which the council describes as “a way of working that supports people to take action on things they care about in their town”. Each town has a town team of residents, businesses, community groups, faith leaders and councillors, and each team has set its own priorities. Grants run from £150 to £15,000, the council says.
Since the scheme started last year, 77 projects have been funded across the borough. The council named four: a walking group in Northolt to help people make friends, a new nature reserve in Greenford, community action and litter-picks around the borough, and support for Hanwell Carnival.
What each town is looking for
The figures below are from the council’s release and its fund page for each town, checked on 29 October. Projects funded this round must run between February and December 2027, after a grant agreement is signed and checks are done.
Southall: £175,000. The biggest pot is for projects that help children and young people aged 4 to 18, and young people up to 25 with special educational needs, “from all cultures and backgrounds improve their health, wellbeing and learning”. Smaller grants go up to £1,500 and larger ones up to £15,000. The town team backed 13 projects last year from 37 applications.
Monica, a member of the Southall town team, said: “Last year, we focused on creating cleaner, more pleasant streets. This year, I’m especially excited that the fund will support our young people through education, nutrition, physical activity and mental wellbeing. Investing in the next generation means giving them the opportunities, experiences, knowledge and positive environments they need to thrive.”
Ealing: £120,000 for the Thriving High Streets and Neighbourhoods community fund. The council says ideas could support local businesses and draw more people to the high streets, create fun activities for older people or bring people together. The fund page adds cleaner and greener streets and neighbourhoods. Smaller grants go up to £1,500, larger ones up to £15,000.
Acton: £80,000 in the fund the release calls the Acton Affect Fund and Acton’s town team calls The Acton Effect. The team wants ideas that make Acton safer, give young people support and things to do, bring communities together and improve the local environment. Grants go up to £1,000 for small projects and £10,000 for larger ones.
Olivia Law-Zygadlo, from Acton’s town team, said: “I’ve met passionate people taking action in Acton, from litter groups, wildlife volunteers to young climate activists, but they often work in silos. What I’d love The Acton Effect to fund is something that bridges those groups. It could be a project where older residents with years of local knowledge and younger people with digital skills actually work together.”
Greenford: £55,000 for projects that help young people aged 11 to 18 “stay safe and thrive”, and that build connections between younger and older people in the town. The fund page says the team wants activity after school or at weekends. Grants go up to £1,500 and £10,000.
Northolt: £55,000 to help young people aged 4 to 18 “learn, grow and thrive”, develop skills and boost their learning. The fund page says projects for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, or who face barriers such as cost, are especially welcome. Grants go up to £1,000 and £10,000.
Hanwell: £40,000 for the Your Town Your Future Fund, for projects that make Hanwell greener and cleaner, bring people together (especially different generations), revive places and spaces in the town, or help people share knowledge and skills. The team is especially keen to hear from young people and will work with high schools to help students shape ideas. “Sparks” grants go up to £1,000 and larger grants up to £6,000. Last year the town backed 14 projects from 37 applications.
Perivale: £16,000 for community-led projects that help local people find work by building skills and business connections and opening new routes into jobs. The fund page says the team wants to back one to three projects. Grants go up to £1,000 and £10,000. Perivale is also the subject of the council’s town centre survey, open until 18 December.
The seven town figures add up to £541,000, more than the £486,000 total in the council’s release. Southall’s page describes its fund as “up to £175,000”.
How the money is decided
The council says all ideas are welcome. The town teams will choose which projects are funded “using a clear assessment process”. The fund pages say schools can apply if the project benefits the wider community beyond pupils, staff and families, and that money cannot go to profit-making projects, political groups or the promotion of religion.
Councillor Lauren Wall, the council’s cabinet member for thriving communities, said: “Your Voice Your Town is built on a simple idea: local people know their communities best. I’d like to thank and congratulate everyone involved for how much has been achieved in such a short time. The success of projects shows the strength, creativity and ambition that exists across our 7 towns. We want to build on that by helping even more local people bring their ideas to life and make a positive difference where they live.”
How to apply
Each town’s criteria and application form are on the council’s Your Voice Your Town site:
The deadline is 1pm on Thursday 3 December. The council’s announcement is also on Around Ealing. Community and faith groups wanting solar panels, insulation or shutters for their buildings can also bid to the separate Better Spaces Fund by 15 November.
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