To register for the Spring26 online project creator workshop click 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: spacehive.com/create and the Spacehive team will guide you on how to begin your campaign. 

2. Submit your project for verification

Your project costs and necessary permissions will be verified by the Spacehive team. This involves us checking quotes that you provide and whether you need to secure specific permissions to deliver your project. Gather this information in advance for speedy verification.

3. Share and collect pledges

Once your project is live, share news of your project via as many platforms as possible. Start raising funds and boost local support before your pitch for funding is assessed by West Oxfordshire District Council. Spacehive offers helpful tips, resources and direct user support on how to achieve your crowdfunding goals and the Spacehive team is on hand to share lots of advice as you need it.

4. Access West Oxfordshire District Council funds

Work with Spacehive to develop your pitch on the platform and you could attract additional funding via a Council pledge. Westhive offers project creators the opportunity to receive a donation from the Council provided the project meets the criteria of the fund, as well as having received a sufficient amount of support from the community through crowdfunding.

There is £120,000 available to support revenue projects across West Oxfordshire via the Westhive fund.
Continue securing support and pledges from as many backers as possible to demonstrate local buy-in for your project. The Council will want to see there is an appetite for your project when they assess your pitch and are looking for a minimum of 20 pledges for your project to be considered.

Your pitch will be assessed for a pledge at regular assessment intervals throughout the funding window. If you can demonstrate support from the community and submit a strong pitch, you could receive up to 75% of your crowdfunding target, up to a maximum of £12,000 from the westhive fund pledged by West Oxfordshire District Council directly to your campaign.

5. Hit your target and deliver your project

Spacehive works on an all-or-nothing model which means you’ll receive your funds after you have reached your fundraising target. Please allow up to three weeks to receive funds once your campaign ends. Once you have delivered your project, you can update your backers on your successes by completing an impact report on Spacehive. If you do not hit your campaign target, your project will not receive its funding pledged by West Oxfordshire District council, however you will be able to withdraw the funds you have raised to date if you set up the campaign as 'keep what you raise'. 

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

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

 

The £120,000 Westhive fund from West Oxfordshire District Council will support locally-led projects across the district, giving communities the opportunity to deliver exciting projects that have the backing of the community and West Oxfordshire District Council alike.  

• Who can apply for funding?

Community groups, social enterprises and individuals with community support could potentially receive a pledge of up to 75% of their crowdfunding target, capped at £12,000 from the westhive fund. This contribution from West Oxfordshire District Council is pledged directly into your crowdfunding campaign alongside contributions from the community. 

• Project criteria:  

The programme provides an accessible way that residents can be at the heart of civic change, which has a drive to be aspirational, innovative and bold. 

West Oxfordshire District Council is interested in funding small cost but high impact projects that supports the Council’s priorities of ‘Putting Residents First’ and ‘Working Together for West Oxfordshire’.

If your question is not included here, please visit the Spacehive Help Centre or email Spacehive on [email protected]

For any queries about the programme or support from West Oxfordshire District Council please contact: [email protected]

Projects we will back:

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

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

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, so that we reduce carbon footprints and encourage nature recovery.

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, 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.

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.

Organisations we will support: 

• Registered charities 

• Charitable Incorporated Organisations 

• Community Interest Companies

• Social Enterprises

• Unincorporated community groups

• Individuals for community projects - not individuals for individual endeavour/benefit

 

The following are not eligible to apply to the Westhive 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.

For any queries about the programme or support from West Oxfordshire District Council please contact: [email protected]