Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Funding Applications
Summer 2025 funding programme
The Council is pleased to announce the launch of its Summer 2025 Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) Funding Programme.
You can access up to £20,000 to fund your community-led project, which can help support new local initiatives for your area.
What is 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 vote for their top priority funding themes in Redbridge.
The top 6 priority funding themes chosen 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 two slightly different application processes for projects seeking up to £500 and those seeking over £500.
For Projects up to £500 (small grants)
Complete the online Small Grants application form.
You may find the model Small Grants Small Grants application helpful when completing your application. Your application will be screened against the criteria, and will be invited to submit further information for the Funding Panel to assess your application.
For projects over £500
A two stage application process has been introduced from the 2025 summer funding round.
Stage 1
The first stage is submitting an online expression of interest form by Friday 1 August. You must answer all the questions, providing evidence where appropriate. It is very important to explain how your project will be self-sustaining and have long-term benefits for the community after receiving any NCIL funding.
Your Expression of Interest information will be screened against the criteria. Projects which do not meet the criteria will be notified by the Council and will not be able to proceed further with their NCIL application.
Projects which do meet the criteria will be initially assessed by the Funding Panel. The Council will provide feedback and may request further information from applicants. If the Council is satisfied, then applicants will be invited to participate in Stage 2.
Stage 2
The second stage is submitting further information and supporting documents online by a specified deadline in September 2025. The Council will actively contact applicants that pass Stage 1 to participate in Stage 2 and give a deadline. The information will be reviewed by the Council.
Projects which meet the criteria and supply satisfactory documents and further information by the set deadline, will be taken to the Funding Panel for a Full Panel Assessment.
Projects which do not meet the criteria or provide satisfactory documents or further information will not be taken further for the Full Panel Assessment.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome. There is no appeals process.
Criteria
In order to successfully apply for NCIL funding all community-led projects must meet the following assessment criteria.
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Table 1- Assessment Criteria In order to successfully apply for NCIL funding all community-led projects must meet the following assessment criteria: |
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All projects must accord with the CIL Regulations and government guidance on CIL. |
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All projects must demonstrate how the project meets one or more of the six priorities. |
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Evidence of how the project addresses local needs must be included in the application. |
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The estimated number of local people supported within the community by the project should be stated. |
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Staffing costs to deliver project must only make up approximately, 25% of the NCIL funding bid
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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.
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Evidence of support from Councillors and Internal Departments from Redbridge Council must be provided with every application.
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If a project is linked to other projects in Redbridge, it must show how it adds value to existing programmes. |
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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. |
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Strong ongoing legacy and impacts of the project to the community beyond the first year and spend of funding award.
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Tracking of ongoing benefits beyond first 12 months and spend of NCIL award.
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Resubmission applications must take account of feedback and improve their projects accordingly for greater chances of a successful submission. |
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The council will consider the number of existing similar projects within the area |
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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. |
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The Council will consider the extent to which the project publicises the financial support given by the Council through the NCIL fund. |
Attend a workshop
Attend the Summer 2025 NCIL Launch Workshop on Wednesday 11 June where you can meet Redbridge Council officers face-to-face, learn about the funding programme and discuss your project ideas.
Register your attendance by emailing dpd@redbridge.gov.uk . As places are limited, a maximum of twp places per community group will be applied. Please let us know if you have any access requirements.
Alternatively, attend an online workshop on Wednesday 18 June at 6pm. Register your attendance by emailing dpd@redbridge.gov.uk .
How to apply, guidance and support
The Summer 2025 NCIL funding round will be open for submissions on Wednesday 11 June 2025.
You should review all the relevant guidance below which should help you when completing your online Expression of Interest form.
At the launch of the new funding round the application window will be open for submissions. 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
Small Grants Application Form (available from Wednesday 11 June)
Expression of Interest Application Form (available from Wednesday 11 June)
Guidance
Small Grants Application form Guidance
Expression of Interest form Guidance
Second Stage Application form Guidance
Model Expression of Interest Form
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 will be asked to read and agree 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
If you would like some advice and guidance, you can discuss your project with a Council officer from the Planning Policy Team and/or with Community Action Redbridge.
Email dpd@redbridge.gov.uk to request and arrange an appointment with an officer from the Planning Policy Team.
We only have 10 meetings are available between Wednesday 11 June to Wednesday 25 July and will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.
More meetings are available with Community Action Redbridge. Email shaweb@communityactionredbridge.org.uk to request and arrange an appointment.
