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APRIL 2026

Welcome to our latest edition of the VCSE newsletter. This month I am pleased to be able to inform you of a number of grants that are now open for applications from NWLDC, including our Small Grant, our rebranded Zero Carbon Grant, our Community Lottery Grant, and a Love Your Neighbourhood Grant.

You will also find further information about other upcoming opportunities for Community Groups in our district. 

I have just marked my one year anniversary with the Community Focus Team and it has been a pleasure working with so many of you to help you achieve your goals. If any groups need any support, regarding accessing funding or making future plans please don't hesitate to get in touch with me; Dawn Deacon at grants@nwleicestershire.gov.uk. 

I wish you all a very enjoyable Bank Holiday this April. 

NWLDC Small Grants Apply for up to £500 to support your organisation. There is no requirement to find match funding for our Small Grant Scheme. You can apply for up to £500 for a new project, event, equipment etc. I'm sharing again an inspiration sheet which I have put together to get you thinking about what funding may help your group this year. Small Grant Ideas.

Environment and Zero Carbon Grants

Apply for a maximum of £1000 towards your project. Environment and Zero Carbon Grants are available for community groups, including parish councils to fund environmentally focussed projects.  Here are just a few examples of the types of projects we love to support: General environmental improvements and climate‑related initiatives Energy‑efficiency upgrades to buildings, such as LED lighting or roof insulation Schemes that encourage cycling and walking Enhancements to green spaces — community orchards, wildflower meadows, tree or hedge planting. Equipment for composting, recycling, or litter‑picking initiatives Projects promoting biodiversity.  Unlike our Small Grant Scheme you will require cash match funding, either from your own reserves, or other grants.

Love Your Neighbourhood Month of Action Grant

This funding application closes Thursday 30th April 2026. We encourage groups to take the opportunity to apply for a grant of up to £500 to run a Love your Neighbourhood themed event or activity during our June Month of Action. Applications are open during April 2026. There is a limited funding pot and so grants will be awarded to the most impactful projects that fit with the spirit of Love Your Neighbourhood, so please ensure you included as much detail as possible to support your application. Groups will hopefully be informed if they have been successful by Friday 8th May. Grant applications should focus on projects that make a difference to your local community in the spirit of Love Your Neighbourhood. This may include things such as: Planting in shared spaces Preparing for wildflowers Organising a larger scale litter picking event in the community Recycling initiatives  Installing communal composting bins Holding recycling events Installing hanging baskets to community buildings. We also have some free litter picking kits available for groups running events during our month of action in June. Find out more and apply on our website: Month of Action - North West Leicestershire District Council

NWL Community Lottery Grant

Funds still available! Applications close 31st August 2026. We have so far been able to support 19 different groups across the district with grants of up to £750 from our Community Lottery Grant Fund, and there is still money up for grabs! This year’s themes are: Build community spirit and encourage local engagement. Run youth activities or project. Support disability groups and promote inclusivity. Applications are welcome from voluntary and community groups including those who are Good Causes on the NWL Community Lottery. You can find further details and ideas of projects by clicking the orange button.

NWLDC Legacy Grant

Agenda of the Cabinet Meeting 24th March 2026Many of you may have seen on social media details of a NWLDC 'Legacy Grant'. This grant is not being managed by myself, and has not officially launched yet. But, I wanted to give you as much information as I have so far to allow you time to make plans to apply.

Purpose and scope of the programme
The Council recognises the critical role that voluntary, community and social enterprise
(VCSE) organisations, parish and town councils, and community groups play in improving
quality of life, strengthening social cohesion, and sustaining vibrant local places across the
district. Many of the outcomes that matter most to residents such as reduced loneliness,
better wellbeing, inclusive community facilities and stronger civic pride are most effectively
delivered through community-led action.

• The programme will operate through two distinct funding strands:
  Revenue grants of up to £25,000 (minimum £2,500), designed to support the
  delivery of time-limited community activities, services or pilot projects.
• Capital grants of up to £250,000 (minimum £10,000), designed to fund the creation or improvement of community assets and facilities that provide long-term benefit.

Eligible bodies include registered charities, charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs), community interest companies, constituted voluntary and community groups, social enterprises, and parish and town councils.

You can see more about the grant including the application form and the scoring criteria in the Agenda of the Cabinet Meeting 24th March 2026 Item 139. 

Once we have further details available we will share them. 

What's on in Coalville My colleague from Economic Development has asked me to share the attached Spring/Summer events guide, as there may be some opportunities for our community groups to get involved. Printed versions can also be picked up at Coalville Library, NWLDC Customer Service Centre, The Century Theatre, Coalville CAN and Newmarket. Click the picture to download the guide.