Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy Funding Applications
Spring 2026 funding round
The Spring 2026 Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) Funding Round has now closed, and the small grants and stage 1 application windows are also closed. All submitted stage 1 applications will be assessed by the NCIL funding panel. If you have submitted a funding application you will be informed whether or not it has successfully progressed to stage 2 of the application process. Feedback will be given to all unsuccessful projects.
If you intend to apply for NCIL funding in future rounds information about the process will continue to be available on this page.
Funded NCIL Projects 2025/26
The list below shows all previously funded projects under the new Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) Programme. The drop down menu includes summary content of the projects and information of the amount of NCIL funding awarded for each. The list shows the broad types of projects that receive funding, all of which meet at least one of the six funding priorities that project proposals are required to meet.
One Place East, Registered Charity: Disability Festival in the Park 2026. Awarded £20,000, May 2026
OPE is seeking to support the 2026 Disability Festival in the Park on behalf of the Disability Festival Planning Team, a collective of local public sector, charity and community partners. The Disability Festival in the Park takes place on Wednesday 22nd July 2026 (12pm–7pm) at Christchurch Green, Wanstead, London E11 2RH. Now an established community-led event, it attracted over 3,000 people in 2025, and in 2026 the aim is to grow the event into London’s biggest one-day disability event, bringing pride and positive recognition to the London Borough of Redbridge.
The Disability Festival aims to enhance the lives of local Disabled People and address the inequalities they experience in all aspects of life. With a sense of belonging and joy the festival aims to:
• Promoting inclusion and community cohesion
• Celebrate difference, encourage connection, and spark creativity
• Remove physical and social barriers, to create a space where people are welcomed, valued, and inspired
• Offer fully inclusive creative activities and workshops
• Encourage increased physical activity by providing accessible sports and activities for people to try
• Promote health through the provision of information, advice and signposting
• Showcase the talents of local Disabled People,
• Provide a wonderful opportunity for people with disabilities to experience a real festival atmosphere
The festival relies entirely on fundraising, corporate sponsorship and the support of Redbridge Council, Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure, and massive team of volunteers.
Colours of Redbridge, registered charity: Portfolio - Building Digital Creative Skills for Young People in Redbridge. Awarded £19,017, April 2026
The Portfolio Building project aims to develop and deliver a digital creative skills initiative entitled led by and for people aged 16-25 in Redbridge. Participants will develop a portfolio in a digital creative medium (digital photography, gaming, audio design, music production, virtual reality etc.) through a series of masterclasses, workshops and networking sessions led by leading figures in the industry. This gives an opportunity for young people to develop their skills and build a working portfolio necessary to gain employment in the creative industries. The project includes workshops, career sessions, ‘go and see’ visits and networking sessions, all leading to a showcase at the end of the summer where the portfolios will be displayed and industry figures and VIPs will be invited. Partner organisations include A New Direction and East Bank organisations in Stratford (including University of the Arts London, and University of East London) to ensure each participant has opportunities for further educational or relevant career paths.
Friends of Elmhurst Gardens (amalgamated with the Maybank Community Assoc), voluntary organisation and resident association: Renovation of Elmhurst Knot Garden. Awarded £7,652, March 2026.
The project is a planting scheme for Elmhurst Gardens to enhance the Knot Garden. It includes planting a blend of structural, ornamental, and pollinator friendly species selected for their seasonal impact, resilience, and educational value. These selections have been made to provide strong year-round interest while supporting biodiversity and offering opportunities for intergenerational engagement and outdoor learning.
Aanchal Women’s Aid, registered charity : Lived Experience Expert Forum. Awarded £19,960, March 2026.
The Lived Experience Expert Forum project is a project tackling domestic abuse that is aimed at establishing an Expert Forum of survivor voices that are central to shaping responsive, trauma-informed, and health-aware services. The project will aim to improve health and wellbeing for people affected by domestic abuse and create a legacy of health-focused support by developing a network of domestic abuse champions within GP surgeries. The project will inform and influence the local Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategic Board, as well as key partners across primary care, mental health, housing, education, policing, and community services.
Mind, Body and Soul, voluntary organisation and resident association: Wellbeing Garden. Awarded £10,053, January 2026.
The Wellbeing Garden project aims to expand the existing community garden at the community hub on Ilford Lane and renovate the damaged public planters outside the hub. These planters were part of Love the Lane project delivered by the Council, funded by UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF), and planted by Uphall and Cleveland Schools. The space will be revived and adopted and maintained and the project will include planting, greening and installation of small structures contributing to a vibrant, attractive and accessible space. The project will also offer free weekly Tai Chi sessions led by a qualified instructor to promote physical and mental wellbeing, particularly for older residents and people experiencing stress, domestic abuse and isolation, and also one-to-one mental health support from a trained professional. Almost all sessions will be hosted at the Ilford Lane hub.
South Woodford Community Gardeners, voluntary organisation and resident association: Community Gardening for Raised Flowerbeds. Awarded £4,979, December 2025.
The Raised Flowerbeds project is to enhance and better maintain the community raised flowerbeds in South Woodford on the High Road over the A406, as the level and health of the soil has deteriorated significantly. The South Woodford Community Gardeners require the delivery and spreading of compost and top dressing for the beds. Replenishing the soil will improve its health and promote better growing conditions for plants. The NCIL funding can also provide drought tolerant plants and shrubs to replace any that have died due to climate conditions, poor soil and the lack of watering facilities. The South Woodford Community Gardeners volunteers are predominately retirees living in South Woodford and will be assisting the project throughout the duration.
South Park Users Group, voluntary organisation and resident association: Reclamation and Regeneration of South Park Lake. Awarded 19,526, December 2025.
The aim of the Reclamation and Regeneration of the South Park Lake is aimed at restoring and improving the currently polluted lake in South Park in accordance with survey work and a restoration plan created for the park by Aquamaintain’s consultants. The restoration plan involves aeration (solar powered splash aerators) and filtration elements (natural reed beds) and coir rolls. This plan will benefit all South Park users, residents, community groups, school children for educational visits, as well as wildlife (waterfowl, fish). The South Park Users Group volunteers will complete minor maintenance
Redbridge & Epping Forest Local Parkinson’s UK, registered charity: Exercise for People with Parkinson's/Carers/Partners. Awarded £5,833, December 2025.
The Redbridge & Epping Forest Local Parkinson’s UK group have been funded to provide specialist exercise programmes for residents with Parkinson’s disease, focussing on balance, aerobic/cardio, flexibility and strength. The exercise helps them stay fit, healthy and socially connected. Thid offer fills a gap in NHS services as confirmed by Redbridge Council’s Public Health service. The project benefits families & carers, reduces pressure on NHS services, promotes awareness and builds a more resilient community. There is a nominal affordable charge for hall hire and equipment replenishment, and includes a Parkinson’s qualified fitness instructor, a nurse, partners and carers volunteering time.
The Chadwell Heath Smallholdings Society, Registered community interest company: Reclaiming allotments - reinstatement of neglected statutory allotment land. Awarded £16,761, December 2025
The allotments reinstatement project is for an allotment site in the Aldborough ward and aims to reinstate 1.25 acres of approx. 10 acres of neglected statutory allotment land (approx. 20 full size plots at 250 square meters each). The area also contains 4.2 acres of in use allotment plots leased from Redbridge Council. New plot holders/members of the Chadwell Heath Smallholdings Society will become members of The National Allotment Society (NAS) gaining growing advice and guidance, discounted seed purchase through the NAS scheme, free personal public liability insurance, access to the members area of the NAS website. Project aims also include installation of a septic tank toilet facility, and a water supply from the nearby mains supply. A small gravel/stone car park will be built to facilitate unloading and loading opportunities for nearby residents.
Ekota Academy, registered charity: Active at Goodmayes. Awarded £16,471, December 2025.
The Active at Goodmayes Project will deliver a 40-week (400 hours) programme benefitting 160 local people, and is designed to increase participation in physical activity, inclusiveness, and community cohesiveness. The project provides multi-sports sessions for cricket, football, basketball & fitness, women & girls’ cricket (mothers and daughters) designed to be culturally sensitive, Learn to Cycle for children over 10yrs to promote future active travel & independence, weekly mentoring circles with one-to-one support. Ekota will train 6 local volunteers in sports coaching, mentoring, and safeguarding which helps them build skills, confidence, and pathways into further education or employment.
Seven Kings and Goodmayes Allotment Society, registered charitable community benefit society: Goodmayes Allotment Regeneration. Awarded £17,040, July 2025.
Goodmayes Lane Allotment site by replacing a derelict shed with a new concrete building for multi-purpose use by members and the wider community, and to expand the provision of raised allotment beds suitable for people with access needs. The semi-concrete shed is very old and is no longer usable. The Seven Kings and Goodmayes Allotment Society plan to safely demolish the structure using professionals for disposing of asbestos and then volunteers. It will be replaced with a new concrete building, providing widespread benefits for members and their families, more than 379 people, and the community as a whole. The expanded raised allotment beds will provide more waist high long beds, which allow for easier access gardening in particular for people with age related challenges or access needs. Expanding the provision will for those with physical limitations to continue accessing the allotment with reduced strain.
St Luke's Great Ilford, registered charity: Baxter Road Community Garden. Awarded £4,973, June 2025.
This is a greening project for the garden at Baxter Road community centre, neglected for a number of years. The project would also include an additional strip of land to become a small orchard. The garden will produce vegetables and fruit for the local community, the volunteers and for social events held in the community centre encouraging healthy eating. The community garden on Baxter Road will provide a space for growing fruit and veg and healthy outdoor activities. Long term a space that has been at times an eye sore will now be a productive asset to the community.
Free your Mind, Registered community interest company, Community Interest Company (CIC): Redbridge Domestic Abuse Project. Awarded £17,064, March 2025.
The project has been funded to provide therapeutic services for young victims of domestic abuse, to help them heal, recover and thrive. The project involves Solution-based Counselling and Mentoring. All therapy is provided by practitioners who have lived experience of domestic abuse. The project provides a safe space to process trauma and develop healthy coping mechanisms, and also focuses on empowerment, resilience-building, and preventing future abuse.
Wanstead Parish St Mary with Christ Church, Registered charity: Wanstead Repair Café project. Awarded £9,762, March 2025.
This project was funded to run four free Repair Café events at Christ Church Hall in Wanstead. The aim of the project is to prevent items from being thrown into landfill unnecessarily, reducing waste and promoting a circular economy in our community. The event included some professional repairers, supported by local volunteers. Resident can also learn from repairers about how their items work via a free community workshop at each event, providing them with new knowledge, skills and confidence to make simple repairs themselves, contributing to a sustainable future. Additional activities may include jewelry cleaning, seed swaps and toy swaps from local charities and community groups, as well as refreshments - all for free.
Transition Town Ilford Community Group, Registered charitable community benefit society: Ilford Energy Café Project; Awarded £3,212
Ilford Energy Café is a project by Transition Town Ilford, which aims to create a greener and more flourishing community in Ilford. In line with LB Redbridge’s Climate Action Plan, the project helps reduce carbon emissions in Ilford through helping people to use less energy in their homes. We know there is a need for this work because the need to de-carbonise is urgent if we are to avoid climate breakdown, and households in Ilford are concerned as they are struggling to heat homes and stop heat escaping which means they are using more energy. People are hungry for information and tips. Over the last 2 years the group’s volunteers have held regular fortnightly Energy Café sessions at Redbridge Central library. Many people have attended looking for ways to save energy and some are struggling to pay energy bills. Workshops have also been held at voluntary organisations in Ilford advising and helping many and helping to use less energy and reduce their bills, and the work continues.
GoodGym, Registered Charity: Hainault in Bloom Project. Awarded £270, February 2025.
The project is to maintain a mini-community garden, consisting of planters outside the Hainault Tube Station. The aim is for the planters to provide colour and nature that lifts people's mood and provides a mini-nature corridor for insects. The project involves complete replanting with new nutritious soil and a variety of plants and flowers so they can last for the next few years. Planters are also freshened up with annuals and fertiliser. The local community benefits from this project, which was installed in collaboration with Redbridge Council’s Streets team. It provides a much nicer place for people using the station and for residents that pass through. To sustain the benefits, regular volunteers water, weed and maintain the greenery.
The Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL)
NCIL is a portion of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) awarded to local people to initiate and support community-led projects.
Priority funding themes
Redbridge Council consulted with the community in 2024 to find their top priority funding themes in Redbridge.
The top 6 priority funding themes were:
- Greening the borough - examples can include projects for improving local public gardens and open spaces, planting projects, or support for existing greening projects.
- Health and wellbeing - projects that promote walking, sports and general health and fitness for all ages.
- Environmental sustainability - for example, projects that support the council’s climate change action plan through local initiatives and help reduce carbon emissions.
- Sustainable transport - can include support for projects relating to walking and cycling or improving infrastructure for sustainable transport.
- Community safety - projects that help guard against crime, or support road safety around schools etc.
- Empowering young people - projects that encourage youth representation, provide mentoring, and help young people explore their interests and potential.
Application process
There are 2 slightly different application processes for projects looking for:
- up to £500
- more than £500
Projects up to £500 (small grants)
Complete the online Small Grants application form.
There is an example of a Small Grants application you can look at to help you complete your application.
We use the criteria below to assess your application. We will also ask you to submit further information for the Funding Panel to assess your application.
For projects over £500
This application process is in 2 stages.
Stage 1
You must submit an online expression of interest form.
You must answer all the questions and provide evidence where appropriate. It is very important to explain:
- how your project will be self-sustaining
- long-term benefits for the community after receiving any NCIL funding
We use the criteria below to assess your application. If your project does not meet the criteria, the council will let you know and your application will not continue.
Projects which do meet the criteria will be assessed by the Funding Panel. The council will provide feedback and may ask you for further information. The council will then decide if your project will move to Stage 2.
Stage 2
You'll be asked to submit further information and supporting documents online by a specified deadline. The council will contact you with a deadline.
The information you send will be reviewed by the council. Projects that meet the criteria and supply satisfactory documents and further information by the deadline will go to the Funding Panel for a Full Panel Assessment.
We'll let you know the outcome. Decisions are final and there is no appeals process.
Criteria
All community-led projects must meet the following assessment criteria to apply for NCIL funding.
| Table 1- Assessment Criteria In order to successfully apply for NCIL funding all community-led projects must meet the following assessment criteria: |
| All projects must accord with the CIL Regulations and government guidance on CIL. |
| All projects must demonstrate how the project meets one or more of the six priorities. |
| Evidence of how the project addresses local needs must be included in the application. |
| The estimated number of local people supported within the community by the project should be stated. |
| Staffing costs to deliver project must only make up approximately, 25% of the NCIL funding bid |
| It is expected that projects will run for a 12-month period beginning within a month of being awarded funding. However, in some cases projects can be delivered over a longer period, such as greening projects that may need maintenance for more than one year and could take longer to be delivered. |
| Evidence of support from Councillors and Internal Departments from Redbridge Council must be provided with every application. |
| If a project is linked to other projects in Redbridge, it must show how it adds value to existing programmes. |
| All projects must demonstrate how they will be sustained financially/non-financially following the ending of the NCIL funding. Post-project fundraising information should be included which states the ongoing legacy, project longevity and longer-term benefits beyond the first year and spend of the NCIL funding award. Identified funding streams to support the long-term future of project beyond 12 months should be stated. |
| Strong ongoing legacy and impacts of the project to the community beyond the first year and spend of funding award. |
| Tracking of ongoing benefits beyond first 12 months and spend of NCIL award. |
| Resubmission applications must take account of feedback and improve their projects accordingly for greater chances of a successful submission. |
| The council will consider the number of existing similar projects within the area. |
| The Council will consider financial and/or volunteer support for projects. This is not required, however where groups hold existing funding/are seeking to raise additional funding and/or have volunteer support for their project this will be considered positively by the funding panel when assessing the application. This is a better demonstration of best value for the project. Similarly support from active volunteers shows that a project has the support of the local community and will also be favoured by the funding panel. |
| The Council will consider the extent to which the project publicises the financial support given by the Council through the NCIL fund. |
How to apply, guidance and support
You should review all the relevant guidance below. This will help you complete your Stage 1 Expression of Interest and Stage 2 application forms.
When you are ready to submit your funding application you can use the links provided below to complete your application form and upload the required additional information. The application form also contains a section that will help you to fully answer the questions.
Applications forms
During the stage 1 funding round you can access a link to the Stage 1 Expression of Interest and the Small Grants application forms below, however, the application window is now closed. You will be able to access the Stage 2 NCIL application form if you have completed and submitted a Stage 1 Expression of Interest form and successfully progressed to Stage 2.
You can access guidance notes and model small grants and expression of interest forms to help you complete your application form via the links in the Guidance section below.
Small Grants NCIL Application Form (closed)
Stage 1 Expression of Interest NCIL Application Form (closed)
Stage 2 NCIL Application Form will be made accessible after the Stage 1 application window has closed, and the funding panel have assessed all Stage 1 applications.
Guidance
Small grants application form guidance notes
Expression of interest form guidance notes
Second stage application form guidance notes
Model small grant form (PDF 599KB)
Model expression of interest form (PDF 605KB)
The NCIL programme Frequently Asked Questions gives you an overview of the application process, how applications are assessed and the application eligibility criteria.
When you fill in your application form you'll be asked to read and agree to the council's Standard Legal Agreement which you must sign when you are awarded NCIL funding. View the Standard Legal Agreement (SLA)
Talk to us
During the period of the funding application window, if you would like some advice and guidance, you can discuss your project with a Council officer from the Spatial Planning & Infrastructure Team.
You can arrange a meeting by messaging the Spatial Planning & Infrastructure Team via email to dpd@redbridge.gov.uk. An officer will be available to meet with you to discuss your project proposal and offer assistance. Meetings are limited and allocated on a first come first serve basis.
