Projects need to apply by the funding round deadline so that the council can review the projects and decide which ones they’re able to support. 

• Funding round deadline: Wednesday 3 June 2026 

• First council assessment: Week commencing 6 July 2026

• Second council assessment: Week of 16 November 2026

 

Project creator workshop

Join us for our next project creator workshop to find out more and learn how you can start a crowdfunding campaign on Spacehive:

• Online workshop: TBC

• Register for your free place

1) Create a project page

Head to spacehive.com/create to get started. You’ll need to register for an account and share your project idea. 

2) Apply for council funds
The Spacehive platform will match you to the council funds available through the programme based on your project location. Here you will need to answer some questions from the council regarding your project. 

3) Get your project verified

Before you can start crowdfunding, your project is checked to ensure the necessary permissions and governance are in place. You will need to supply quotes for the main cost items in your project budget too. See the help centre here for verification guidance. Remember to add any pre-campaign funds to demonstrate existing support to the project, see the help centre here for guidance.

4) Start crowdfunding
Once your crowdfunding campaign is launched on the Spacehive platform, start raising funds to demonstrate local support. Projects must reach a minimum of 20 backers to be submitted for Council assessment. 50+ backers are considered gold standard. A typical crowdfunding campaign runs for 6-12 weeks. Spacehive offers guidance here to help you achieve your crowdfunding target. If you are successful in receiving a council donation, it will be added to your crowdfunding campaign.

5) Hit your target and deliver your project
Projects must hit their crowdfunding target to receive a Community Innovation Fund donation. Once you hit your crowdfunding target, you’ll receive your funds within a few weeks and you can start delivering your project. 

6) Deliver and complete an impact report

Once crowdfunding is complete, deliver your project within six months and complete an impact report on Spacehive. This is mandatory and shares your success with backers and the council.

Support

• For detailed guidance on each step, visit the Spacehive Help Centre

• For any additional questions, please contact Spacehive [email protected]

• For local Cheshire West and Chester council support, please contact [email protected]
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The Cheshire West Crowd programme offers two funds:

1. Community Innovation Fund: £152,675

• Maximum award: Up to £10,000 or 75% of campaign target
• Got a great idea to bring people together or improve your local area? This fund is here to help turn those ideas into reality.
   

We’re looking for projects that:

• Strengthen communities
• Improve local spaces
• Tackle real challenges
• Deliver long lasting benefits

Support our Borough plan missions, including:

• Starting well
• Tackling hardship and poverty
• Resilient people living their best lives
• Opportunity in a fair local economy
• Neighbourhood pride
• Greener communities

Additional requirements

• School projects, with strong evidence of wider community access and benefits, may apply. Before creating your project on Spacehive’s portal, email your project idea to [email protected] for review.  

• Town/Parish Council-led projects must provide 25% pre-campaign funding before launching.  View pre-campaign funding guidance here.

 

2. Climate Change Emergency Fund: £92,921

• Maximum award: Up to £20,000 or 75% of campaign target
• Do you have an idea that can help cut carbon emissions and protect our environment? We’re looking for capital projects with proven, measurable climate impact.

We want to support projects such as:

• Renewable energy installations
• Energy saving upgrades
• Heat pump systems
• Low and zero carbon transport solutions
• Waste reduction initiatives
• Nature based environmental improvements

Your project must clearly demonstrate benefits such as:

• Quantified greenhouse gas reductions
• Specific, quantified carbon savings
• Less waste and higher recycling rates
• More efficient buildings
• Energy savings
• Improved access to sustainable transport
• Long term environmental benefits

Additional requirements

• Before applying, email your idea to: [email protected] for free expert advice from our Climate Change team.  They can help you shape the project to ensure it meets the Climate Emergency Fund criteria and signpost to other potential funders.

We welcome applications from:

✔ Public bodies (i.e. parish councils, schools supporting their wider community)

✔ Registered charities and Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs)

✔ Community Interest Company (CICs) and social enterprises

✔ Constituted or unincorporated community groups

✔ Inclusive faith and religious groups that do not promote a religious view
 

We cannot fund:

✘ Council services (except in rare cases)

✘ Private, profit-making businesses (unless structured as CICs partnerships/co ops) 

✘ Projects that do not meet the objectives in our Borough Plan 

✘ Projects outside Cheshire West and Chester

✘ Projects led by individuals

 

How projects are assessed

To be considered for funding, projects should:

• Secure at least 20 backers (50+ is ideal) 

• Show clear community support before the Council makes its pledges - Approaching other funders early (businesses, foundations, trusts) is recommended

• Demonstrate strong value for money, sustainability, and alignment with the Borough Plan

• Most successful projects typically receive around 50% of their target from the Council (£5,000–£10,000).

• Once funded, you’ll have six months to deliver your project and submit your impact report.

 

Be part of the Cheshire West Crowd and help shape a better, greener, and more connected borough for everyone.

• Cheshire West Crowd Terms and Conditions view PDF
• Guidance for Event Planning – Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults view PDF