Grant to boost community facilities
Published
Monday 30 June, 2025
Updated
Monday 30 June, 2025
Grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 are available to improve community facilities across the borough.
Swale Borough Council has reopened its Community Infrastructure Grant (CIG) scheme to support projects that improve and encourage the use of important community assets.
Last year the scheme helped fund the installation of solar panels on the Graveney and Goodnestone Village Hall, helping secure its future and contributed towards the installation of a “Space in the Park” for community use in Milton Creek Country Park.
It also helped upgrade and enhance the Heather House Community Hub, kept the Sheppey Greenway Project on track, and funded the renovation of a platform at the Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway.
The funding can cover 75% of the capital costs of improvements that increase visitor numbers, provide a new service, or reduce the carbon footprint of the facility.
To receive funding, projects will need to match one of the following identified themes:
- warm and sustainable – insulation, green power, LED lighting
- fit for purpose – alterations, improvements, and new facilities
- digitally Connected – fast broadband and Wi-Fi
- welcome and work – creating or improving meeting areas and workspaces
- mobility - EV charging points, bike storage
The council is offering free low carbon advice to help groups planning to apply for warm and sustainable measures prepare their applications.
There is also an opportunity for applicants to fund feasibility works to make sure their projects are thoroughly planned out and have the best chance to succeed.
The grant is only open to not-for-profit organisations that provide community facilities and amenities within Swale.
Cllr Monique Bonney, chair of Swale Borough Council’s Economy and Property Committee, said:
“Last year we saw some fantastic projects across Swale use the community infrastructure grant to make a positive impact on their communities.
“This included helping a village hall ease some financial pressure and secure its future near Faversham, funding the renovation of a much-needed community hub in Sittingbourne and helping the Sheppey Greenway extend its walking and cycling route on the Isle of Sheppey.
“If you are a non-profit and have an idea to boost your local communities’ infrastructure please apply for this grant – it can really help you make real long-lasting change.
“We can’t wait to see what this year’s grant scheme will bring and the amazing projects our incredible organisations within the borough will bring forward for the benefit of our residents.”
The Community Infrastructure Grant is funded through the Rural England Prosperity Fund and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
To find out more including how to apply visit Swale Borough Council’s grant page.
Any applications will need to be in by 25 August 2025 and the projects need to be completed by 31 March 2026.
The full list of the 2024/25 funded projects:
Applicant | Project description |
Ospringe Parish Council | Installation of a defibrillator |
Oare Parish Council | Conversion of streetlights to LED |
SATEDA | Heather House Community Hub |
New Leaf Support | Creation of New Leaf Sanctuary Space |
Sittingbourne and Sheppey helping Ukraine | Heather House Community Hub |
Swale Community Care Project | Heather House Community Hub |
Hartlip Parish Council | New play equipment for Hartlip Recreation Ground |
Cinque Ports Rowing | Purchase of a fully compliant bandsaw |
Upchurch Parish Council | New play equipment for older children |
Leysdown Village Hall Management Committee | Internal Extension of the Kitchen |
Borden Parish Council | CCTV at the Playstool Recreation Ground |
Sheppey Light Railway Greenway Group | Improvements to Greenway between Sheerness Golf Cub and William Rigby Drive Halfway |
Badlesmere Lees Preservation Committee | Hall refurbishment |
Barton's Point | Refurbishment of Barton's Point Café, upgrade of equipment and repaint of the boathouse so that it could be let. |
Age UK Kent Rivers | Heather House Community Hub |
Norton Village Hall | Improvements to heating and lighting |
The Meads Community Centre | Solar panels |
Lynsted with Kingsdown Parish Council | Replacement of streetlights with LEDs |
Sheppey Sea Cadets | Refurbishment of classrooms (Vanguard Block) |
Upchurch Cricket Club | Battery to store energy from solar panels |
Dunkirk Village Hall | Solar panels and associated battery |
Faversham Pools | Energy saving pool cover |
Rushenden Community Hall Association | LED Lights and electrical work for defibrillator |
Bredgar Village Hall | Central Heating System and double-glazed doors |
Diversity House | Energy efficient lighting: upgrade the heating system and create an outdoor space. |
Blue Town Remembered | Upgrade of equipment for community space |
The Hope Street Centre (with Pyramid Project CIC) | Funding to upgrade room for use for the joint digital inclusion programme, delivered by the organisation with the Pyramid Project. |
Blue Town Remembered | Solar panels and insulation of rooms in the Blue Town Heritage Centre. |
Faversham Town Council - Wayfinding | Contribution to wayfinding project in Faversham Town Centre. |
Faversham Umbrella (Building Upgrade) | Building upgrade including blinds, security enhancements and furniture. |
Sheerness Old Library (44 Trinity Road) | Removal of asbestos |
