Community groups can now bid for a share of a £1 million pot of money from developers with the return of the council’s Greenwich Neighbourhood Growth Fund.

Over £2.5 million has been given out to 157 projects across the borough since the project launched in 2018, with cash going to schemes to improve local parks, fitness classes, improvements to community centres and repairs to historic buildings like Charlton House.

Now the scheme has returned after a year off with the kitty having rolled over in that time to £1 million. This year, the cash will be split equally between the four neighbourhood areas used for the fund – Eltham & Kidbrooke, Blackheath & Greenwich, Charlton & Woolwich and Abbey Wood, Plumstead & Thamesmead. Grants will range from £2,500 to £35,000.

Another difference this year is that an AI-powered platform, ActionFunder, will be used for applications. Groups can upload short written or video pitches, while residents can see what’s on offer before casting their votes, while residents are promised real-time updates on how projects are progressing.

The money comes from developers who pay community infrastructure levy (CIL) to the council. Most of this is supposed to be spent on large-scale, strategic projects but by law councils must allocate a minimum of 15 per cent of this cash – known as “neighbourhood CIL” – to smaller, more local projects and consult people on how it is spent. 

Greenwich has opted to spend the minimum level on the growth fund; next-door Lewisham allocates 25 per cent of its developer kitty to neighbourhood projects. Last month Greenwich said it wanted to protect the cash available for major schemes.

Council leader Anthony Okereke said: “Development should mean more than new houses and flats, so we’re making sure that we put developers’ cash to good use in a way that benefits the whole borough.  

“That sentiment is at the heart of the Greenwich Neighbourhood Growth Fund which helps to pay for vital projects that are aimed at improving community facilities and infrastructure. I know so many local groups will benefit greatly just as more than 150 have since the fund launched in 2018.” 

​​Mark Shearer, the co-founder of ActionFunder, said: “Greenwich is showing real leadership by pioneering a new way of giving communities a say in how developer funding is spent. We’re proud to support this pilot, which will make the process faster, fairer and more transparent, while shining a light on the incredible work of local groups.”

There is more information on the Greenwich Council website. 

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