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 improvement
Project creators pitching for Climate Change funding are encouraged to access free professional advice prior to submitting your project on the platform. Please email your draft project idea ASAP to [email protected] to improve the likelihood of receiving the Council’s support through this fund.
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. 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.
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.
For any additional questions, please contact Spacehive [email protected]
For local Cheshire West and Chester council support, please contact [email protected]
Impact reporting is a mandatory requirement following the completion of your project to evidence that project outcomes have been met and promises have been delivered. Terms and Conditions can be viewed here.
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
Potential project creators should note, to date, most eligible projects received 50% of their funding target (in the region of £5,000 to £10,000) from Cheshire West and Chester Council.
Be sure to declare any pre-campaign funding before project verification. Not only does pre-campaign funding not incur Spacehive fees it demonstrates existing support which encourages others (including the assessment panel) to back the project too. Here’s a link to guidance - Showing money or items already received before crowdfunding | Spacehive Help Centre
An average campaign funding target is £10,000. Larger campaigns can be successful if they have pre-campaign funding in place and a strong campaign plan. Please note: project creators are expected to apply to multiple sources for funding.
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.
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. 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.
Community Innovation Fund
Community Innovation Fund
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:
Potential project creators should note, to date, most eligible projects received 50% of their funding target (in the region of £5,000 to £10,000) from Cheshire West and Chester Council.
Be sure to declare any pre-campaign funding before project verification. Not only does pre-campaign funding not incur Spacehive fees it demonstrates existing support which encourages others (including the assessment panel) to back the project too. Here’s a link to guidance - Showing money or items already received before crowdfunding | Spacehive Help Centre
An average campaign funding target is £10,000. Larger campaigns can be successful if they have pre-campaign funding in place and a strong campaign plan. Please note: project creators are expected to apply to multiple sources for funding.
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.
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. 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]
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.
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
For feedback on eligibility and for support to get your idea ready for crowdfunding, email: [email protected]