The fund will support locally-led projects across the district, giving communities the opportunity to deliver exciting projects that have the backing of the community and the Council alike. 

Typically projects can expect a pledge of up to £10,000, max 40% of the target, but the Council will consider applying a premium to projects which are seeking to directly address climate change, the ecological emergency or providing direct support to vulnerable groups, up to a total of 50%.

Please note: the council will not be the first organisation to pledge to your project and will first want to see community support and backing, in the form of pledges from local people towards your campaign. Start by getting lots of small pledges from the community to show local support for your project. This will help unlock bigger pledges.

Through the Westhive Fund we would like to see the following outcomes delivered within the West Oxfordshire district:

1. Improving our natural environment: Project examples: Landscape and habitat restoration and creation, active travel (walking and cycling) opportunities, improved access to greenspaces and the countryside, environmental awareness training.

2. Taking action towards the climate and ecological emergencies: Project examples: Landscape, ecology and wildlife conservation, community energy generation, energy efficiency, restoration of meadows and trees to reduce flooding and improve water quality, carbon reduction initiatives.

3 .Increasing community resilience and amplifying the voice of the seldom heard:

Project examples: Food equity initiatives, community food growing, community art, cultural events, reducing social isolation and loneliness, facilities and/or activities for improved physical and mental wellbeing, activities for young people.

1.    Improving our natural environment and the access to it, so that we enable physical and mental wellbeing and cohesive, connected communities.

2. Taking action towards the climate and ecological emergencies, so that we reduce carbon footprints and encourage nature recovery.

3. Increasing community resilience and amplifying the voice of the seldom heard, so that we take action on issues most important to our residents and their needs, such as access to food, supporting young people and cultural provision.

All projects seeking support will be expected to complete a set of questions when pitching to the fund to determine the eligibility of their projects. The pitch is where you explain why your project deserves a grant from the Council. Follow our video here.

Projects can expect a pledge of up to £10,000 or a maximum of up to 40% of the crowdfunding target.

West Oxfordshire District Council will consider these responses to determine if an activity is eligible. Projects will also need to demonstrate that they have local support for the activity proposed prior to project assessment, 6-8 weeks after the deadline. This will be through pledges offered on its spacehive campaign. You are therefore advised to start your campaign as soon as possible after the deadline. Projects are also able to upload funds raised offline and upload funds raised pre-campaign to evidence existing support. Find out more here.

Projects will need to evidence both fund eligibility and local support to be considered for a pledge by West Oxfordshire District council. 

The following are not eligible to apply to the West Hive Fund:

• Private companies

• Statutory service providers

• Groups proposing for-profit projects

• Groups proposing projects with a political affiliation

• Schools and religious organisations may only apply if the project will have a demonstrable benefit to the wider community and not just the school’s students or congregation.