Hundreds of grassroots organisations across England have received funding through the latest Common Ground Awards, with more than £2 million allocated to 211 community groups. The support recognises local efforts to strengthen social cohesion, reduce divisions, and create opportunities for people from different backgrounds to connect and build trust within their communities.
The Common Ground Fund targets key challenges affecting communities, including declining social trust, rising isolation, cost-of-living pressures, and efforts by external actors to deepen divisions. The funding is designed to help organisations expand their reach, improve community spaces, and launch new activities that encourage regular, inclusive interaction among residents.
Supported initiatives include upgrading community hubs, improving accessibility through minibuses, and creating year-round spaces for shared activities such as sports, gardening, cooking, and cycling. These investments aim to strengthen everyday community engagement by improving local infrastructure and increasing access to inclusive social opportunities.
The programme forms part of the wider Pride in Place initiative, which is investing £5.8 billion in neighbourhoods across the UK to give communities greater control over local development priorities. Together with the government’s broader strategy on social cohesion, the funding aims to strengthen trust, shared values, and resilience within communities.
Minister for Communities Miatta Fahnbulleh highlighted that the funded organisations play a vital role in bringing people together and building stronger local bonds. The awards, including grants such as £28,472 to several organisations across different regions, reflect a wide range of community-led solutions addressing local needs and challenges.
