The Vibrant Places and Communities Fund can support projects which improve local pride in place, breathe life into towns, high streets, and local neighbourhoods and address challenges experienced by communities to make a difference for local people.  

Download the Vibrant Places and communities fund fact sheet here

Examples of projects include: 

• Creation / improvement of green spaces, including urban greening, parks, nature reserves, visitor centres, and waterways 

• Projects which help to tackle social barriers and challenges, such as poverty, ill health, access to services, isolation and/or loneliness, reducing inequality and promoting common good;

• Food equity projects e.g. Create or improve community gardens, growing projects, field to fork initiatives. 

• Local activities, events, festivals, celebrations

• Arts projects including street art, pop up exhibitions, locally led music and theatre performances, public film screenings

• Delivery of outreach/engagement/participatory programmes 

• Campaigns or events that promote the local area

• Funding for community spaces, such as village halls, or community centres for wider community benefit

• Projects which generate and circulate value and opportunity within the local economy

• Support resilience to global issues  

• Initiatives to encourage active travel

Projects pitching to the Vibrant Places and Communities Fund should aim deliver on one or more of these fund outcomes:

• Develop well connected, empowered and resilient communities

• Breathe life into our local high streets, towns, or neighbourhoods.

• Improve the attractiveness, quality, experience, or perception of a place/community facility/event

• Connect people to their local community through access to arts, culture and heritage based activities/events/workshops

• Build the capacity for local groups tackling social barriers and supporting local needs to improve quality of life and wellbeing

• Improve environmental outcomes and access to local green spaces

Important fund information 

• Eligible projects can expect a pledge of up to a maximum of 80% of the project target.

• Projects can pitch to both Crowdfund Dudley Borough funds to receive a maximum pledge of up to £40,000.

• Funding can be used for initiatives, activities, events and their delivery costs as well as for buildings/infrastructure repairs, refurbishment or equipment for wider community benefit. 

• Organisations should have ended their crowdfunding campaigns no later than 24 February 2025.

• Dudley Council’s panel will consider making a pledge to a project once it has reached 10 backers through your Spacehive campaign. 

• Projects will need to evidence both fund eligibility and local support to be considered for a pledge from Dudley Council. 

• Projects are also able to upload funds raised offline and upload pre-campaign funds to evidence existing support. Find out more here.

1. CREATE A PROJECT PAGE

Head to Spacehive to get started and create your project page.

Spacehive will help you develop your project idea so that you are set up for success and ready to crowdfund. Tell us about your idea here: www.spacehive.com/create and the Spacehive team will guide you on how to begin your campaign.

2.  PITCH FOR COUNCIL FUNDS

Spacehive will match you to council funds. Start your pitch(es), where the council asks some additional questions about your project. Depending on the nature of your project, you may also be matched with other funds available in your area. Be sure to declare any pre-campaign funding at this stage so they don’t incur Spacehive fees. It is advantageous for you to complete these steps as early as possible to enable you to attract plenty of community backing ahead of the Council funding assessment.
 

3. SUBMIT YOUR PROJECT FOR VERIFICATION 

Spacehive’s verification team will check your project information.  Where appropriate, please be sure to gather and share the following as soon as possible (ideally in advance of the deadline) to ensure speedy verification:

• Project costs with quotes and evidence

• Planning, landowner, highway or any other necessary permissions or policies

• Relevant council service permissions

• Governance evidence including bank statement and relevant policies.
   

4. RUN YOUR CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN 

Once verified, start your crowdfunding campaign by getting lots of pledges from the community to show local support for your project ahead of assessment. This will help you to unlock bigger pledges.  A typical crowdfunding campaign runs for 6-12 weeks. 

Please note that the Council will not be the first organisation to pledge to your project and will want to see community support and backing, in the form of pledges from local people. A minimum of 10 backers must be secured for your project to be submitted for assessment. Spacehive and the Council are on hand to share lots of information on how to run a brilliant crowdfunding campaign.
 

5. PITCH ASSESSMENT AND PLEDGING 

Dudley Council’s funding assessment weeks will take place throughout 2024-2025, the panel will be meeting on the below dates to review projects that have pitched to the fund(s).

Your project must reach a minimum of 10 backers to be submitted for assessment. 
 

• Assessment 1: w/c 12th August 

• Assessment 2: w/c 14th October

• Assessment 3: w/c 2nd December

• Assessment 4: w/c 3rd February

The Crowdfund Dudley Borough team will keep you informed on progress with your application, as such applicants do not need to progress chase as the team will be in touch as soon as a decision is made following the panel assessment dates.

Please note:

• Dudley Council will issue you with a grant funding agreement for you to sign and return for release of your funds.
• The council retains the right at its discretion to choose not to pledge against a project or to pledge a higher or lower sum at any time.

6. HIT YOUR TARGET AND DELIVER YOUR PROJECT 

Your project supporters love to hear how you’re getting on.  Use the tool on your project page to post regular updates and/or photographs.  For tips and tricks to help you hit your funding target click here.

To learn more about crowdfunding on Spacehive, visit the Help Centre. 

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

7. COMPLETION OF YOUR ONLINE IMPACT REPORT

As part of your pitch for funding, you agreed to complete an online impact report once your project is delivered.  This is then shared with backers to your campaign and the Council.  When you’re ready, you can find a step-by-step guide to impact reporting here. 

Impact reporting is a mandatory requirement following the completion of your project as evidence that project outcomes have been met and promises have been delivered.

Should you have any questions about this process, Spacehive’s Project Success Team is happy to help – simply email: [email protected] for assistance

Fund Eligibility criteria - The organisations  eligible to pitch to the fund and seeking a pledge must be one of the following:

• Community Interest Company

• Charitable Incorporated Organisation

• Company Limited by Guarantee

• Social Enterprise

• Registered charity and exempt charities

• Public body that delivers or hosts community projects

• Voluntary Group with a constitution, committee and its own bank account

Fund eligibility criteria - The Vibrant Places and Communities Fund is unable to support these groups:

• Private companies unless they fall into the above criteria

• Statutory service providers

• Groups proposing projects with a political affiliation

• Individuals (the fund is for organisations with legal status only)

• Educational institutions and religious organisations whose venue or facility is not accessible to the wider community. The project must have a demonstrable benefit to the wider community and not just their own students or congregation, or be held in a public space.

• IMPORTANT: If a community organisation wishes to Crowdfund more than one project at a time and they feel they can fundraise and deliver, both simultaneously, please note that the funding is capped to £20,000 from each fund per organisation not per project. The maximum pledge available from each fund is: £20,000 from Vibrant Places and Communities fund and £20,000 from NCIL fund = £40,000 total maximum pledge per organisation.

• It is the project creator’s responsibility to ensure that all necessary permissions, policies or licences are in place at the verification stage of the campaign process. 

• If the applicant does not own the land or building that the project relates to, the owner’s informal permission must have been obtained when an application is submitted, and formal agreement must be confirmed.

• For support with planning permissions advice, support or guidance please contact our Duty Planning Officers on [email protected] or 01384 814136 Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. For further information, please click here

• Please contact Spacehive's Project success team on [email protected] for any wrap-around support with launching your project 

This will be the first time that Dudley Council has embarked upon administering the neighbourhood element of CIL Funding in this innovative way, which we hope will transform our approach to administering and enhancing area-based funding.

CIL is a charge which is levied by local authorities on new development in an area. The local element of this funding is known as Neighbourhood CIL.

The fund can support local projects that are compliant with Dudley Council corporate and planning policies for projects that improve a new development and benefit the wider community in the surrounding area.

Download the NCIL fund fact sheet here

Examples of eligible projects: 

• Environmental improvements such as, landscaping, cycleways, open space improvements, woodlands, play areas   

• Public art 

• Street furniture 

• Equipment for a community group or improvements to a community facility

• Opportunities for public access and use of water spaces for cultural, recreational and leisure activities and other water related uses

• Initiatives to create and promote healthy environments in areas of high density or cycling and walking trails in existing parklands

NCIL will not be able to fund: 

• Projects that will only benefit individuals (5 or less) or a single household 

• Projects that directly benefit, or can be perceived to benefit individual councillors 

• Projects which relate solely to religious purposes 

• Political activities  

• Retrospective projects i.e. where the spend has already occurred 

NCIL should fund projects that support the development of an area and have a positive impact on local communities.  

Neighbourhood CIL should contribute to the Dudley Borough 2030 vision, improving and enhancing communities and place. Projects will support the aspirations of the Dudley Borough Vision 2030 through:

• Improving the vibrancy in town centres and high streets access 

• Continued promotion of Dudley as a tourist destination with improvements to the visitor experience

• Supporting community capacity building and resilience

• Improvements to local green spaces and new open public spaces.

Important fund information 

• Eligible projects can expect a pledge of up to £20,000 maximum or up to 50% of the crowdfunding campaign target. 

• Projects can pitch to both Crowdfund Dudley Borough funds to recieve a maximum pledge of up to £40,000.

• We are seeking to help fund the delivery of neighbourhood projects that support development of an area and positively impact upon things that matter to local communities. 

• Organisations should have ended their crowdfunding campaigns no later than 24 February 2025 at the latest.

• Dudley Council’s panel will consider making a pledge to a project once it has reached 25% of total project target through pledges offered to your Spacehive campaign. 

• Projects will need to evidence both fund eligibility and local support to be considered for a pledge from Dudley Council. 

• Projects are also able to upload funds raised offline and upload pre-campaign funds to evidence existing support. Find out more here.

1. CREATE A PROJECT PAGE

Spacehive will help you develop your project idea so that you are set up for success and ready to crowdfund. Tell us about your idea here: www.spacehive.com/create and the Spacehive team will guide you on how to begin your campaign. 

2. PITCH FOR COUNCIL FUNDS

Create your project page and Spacehive will match you to council funds. Start your pitch(es), where the council asks some additional questions about your project. Depending on the nature of your project, you may also be matched with other funds available in your area. Be sure to declare any pre-campaign funding at this stage so they don’t incur Spacehive fees. It is advantageous for you to complete these steps as early as possible to enable you to attract plenty of community backing ahead of the Council funding assessment.
 

3. SUBMIT YOUR PROJECT FOR VERIFICATION 

Spacehive’s verification team will check your project information.  Where appropriate, please be sure to gather and share the following as soon as possible (ideally in advance of the deadline) to ensure speedy verification:

• Project costs with quotes and evidence

• Planning, landowner, highway or any other necessary permissions or policies

• Relevant council service permissions

• Governance evidence including bank statement and relevant policies.
   

4. RUN YOUR CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN 

Once verified, start your crowdfunding campaign by getting lots of pledges from the community to show local support for your project ahead of assessment. This will help you to unlock bigger pledges.  A typical crowdfunding campaign runs for 6-12 weeks. 

Please note that the Council will not be the first organisation to pledge to your project and will want to see community support and backing, in the form of pledges from local people. A minimum of 10 backers must be secured for your project to be submitted for assessment. Spacehive and the Council are on hand to share lots of information on how to run a brilliant crowdfunding campaign.
 

5. PITCH ASSESSMENT AND PLEDGING 

Dudley Council’s funding assessment weeks will take place throughout 2024-2025, the panel will be meeting on the below dates to review projects that have pitched to the fund(s).

Your project must reach a minimum of 25% of the total project target to be submitted for assessment. 

• Assessment 1: August 2024

• Assessment 2: w/c 14th October 2024

• Assessment 3: w/c 2nd December 2024

• Assessment 4: w/c 3rd February 2024

The Crowdfund Dudley Borough team will keep you informed on progress with your application, as such applicants do not need to progress chase as the team will be in touch as soon as a decision is made following the panel assessment dates.

Please note:

• Dudley Council will issue you with a grant funding agreement for you to sign and return for release of your funds.
• Successful projects must spend funding within 2 years of the date of the grant funding agreement issued.

6. HIT YOUR TARGET AND DELIVER YOUR PROJECT 

Your project supporters love to hear how you’re getting on.  Use the tool on your project page to post regular updates and/or photographs.  For tips and tricks to help you hit your funding target click here.

To learn more about crowdfunding on Spacehive, visit the Help Centre. 

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

7. COMPLETION OF YOUR ONLINE IMPACT REPORT

As part of your pitch for funding, you agreed to complete an online impact report once your project is delivered.  This is then shared with backers to your campaign and the Council.  When you’re ready, you can find a step-by-step guide to impact reporting here. 

Impact reporting is a mandatory requirement following the completion of your project as evidence that project outcomes have been met and promises have been delivered.

Should you have any questions about this process, Spacehive’s Project Success Team is happy to help – simply email: [email protected] for assistance.

Fund Eligibility criteria - The organisations eligible to pitch to the fund and seeking a pledge must be one of the following:

• Community Interest Company

• Charitable Incorporated Organisation

• Company Limited by Guarantee

• Social Enterprise

• Registered charity and exempt charities

• Public body which delivers or hosts community projects

• Voluntary Group with a constitution, committee and its own bank account

Fund eligibility criteria - The Dudley Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy Fund (CIL) is unable to support these groups:

• Private companies unless they fall into the above criteria

• Statutory service providers

• Groups proposing projects with a political affiliation

• Individuals (the fund is for organisations with legal status only)

• Educational institutions and religious organisations whose venue or facility is not accessible to the wider community. The project must have a demonstrable benefit to the wider community and not just their own students or congregation, or be held in a public space.

IMPORTANT: If a community organisation wishes to Crowdfund more than one project at a time and they feel they can fundraise and deliver, both simultaneously, please note that the funding is capped to £20,000 from each fund per organisation not per project. The maximum pledge available from each fund is: £20,000 from Vibrant Places and Communities fund and £20,000 from NCIL fund = £40,000 total maximum pledge per organisation.

• It is the project creator’s responsibility to ensure that all necessary permissions, policies or licences are in place at the verification stage of the campaign process. 

• If the applicant does not own the land or building that the project relates to, the owner’s informal permission must have been obtained when an application is submitted, and formal agreement must be confirmed.

• For support with planning permissions advice, support or guidance please contact our Duty Planning Officers on [email protected] or 01384 814136 Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. For further information, please click here

• Please contact Spacehive's Project success team on [email protected] for any wrap-around support with launching your project