A fund which gives Manchester residents the opportunity to secure funding for initiatives which give back to their communities has been overhauled with a new name – and more money.
Now with a revamped name, the Your Neighbourhood Fund. Applications are now open for local Manchester residents to apply, enabling their very own ideas to come to life; bringing people together to create change, improve their neighbourhood, get to know each other better, strengthen relationships, and create impact for communities across the city.
The scheme has been running for more than two decades and the funding up for grabs has been boosted from £20,000 to £30,000 per ward throughout Manchester. This means that almost £1million is being invested into building and advancing initiatives for local communities and by local communities.
Those eligible to apply can be small, emerging groups as well as established ones who want to get their ideas off the ground. Thousands of groups have applied over the years and secured millions of pounds worth of funding to give back to and grow their communities.
What the Your Neighbourhood scheme can fund
Improve the neighbourhood environment (cleaner & greener)
Activities that make local areas more attractive, such as enhancing public spaces, supporting shared community gardens, and organising clean-ups. This also includes tools, equipment, and creative projects like murals or greening alleys. Funding can back involvement in national campaigns like the Great British Spring Clean or Love Your Park Week.
Climate action
Projects that help residents contribute to a zero‑carbon, sustainable neighbourhood. From promoting walking and cycling to reducing waste, recycling, and growing food. Activities can also include upcycling, clothes swaps, and sharing practical knowledge on sustainable living. Ward Climate Change Action Plans should be linked to guide local priorities.
Community events to bring people together
Events that build relationships, celebrate cultures, and make people feel part of their community, such as festivals, street parties, walking groups, or volunteer celebrations. Funding can support venue hire, equipment, road closures if appropriate, or activities tied to national and cultural campaigns like Pride, Eid, Remembrance or International Women’s Day.
Set up new or develop existing community groups
Start‑up or seed funding for new groups, or support for established groups expanding their activities. This can cover items like furniture, equipment, gazebos, or cycle storage, as well as event venue hire. Smaller groups can be supported by larger ones to manage one-off funding for local projects.
Your area priorities
Activities that directly benefit residents and align with priorities set out in each ward’s local plan, which will differ across the city. Residents can discuss ideas with local councillors or their Neighbourhood Team via the provided contact email.
Share and learn
Activities that help residents share skills, history, and local knowledge to create positive change and build confidence. Funding should benefit community groups through coaching, mentoring, digital skills, how to engage other residents, or creating new volunteering opportunities. The goal is to strengthen networks and partnerships within neighbourhoods and across the city.
How the fund has grown communities
Naz Khan, from Cheetham Hill, has applied for funding since 2024 to support her project Bike It Walk It.
The non-profit organisation, based in Heaton Park, gives people in north Manchester the opportunity to learn to ride bikes and cycle around their local parks in guided sessions. The freelance cycle instructor said she was inspired to create the charity; because of the restrictions and cultural stigma she faced in her own childhood.
Naz, 42, said that as a young girl she was never encouraged to ride a bike, a barrier faced by many women and girls in her community. As a result, she didn’t learn to cycle until she was 35. Now a community trailblazer, Naz is determined to change the narrative. She believes cycling is a vital “life skill” that can empower women and girls to be more active, confident, and independent, especially when navigating a large city like Manchester. Through her advocacy and the support of the fund, Naz can now follow her ambitions of championing young women and girls from ethnic minority backgrounds who want to challenge cultural stigma and experience the independence that comes from riding on their own two wheels.
Another recipient is Michael Pollard, founder of Didsbury Pride, a community organisation which supports and creates a safe space for people who identify as LGBTQIA+.
Situated in heart of Didsbury Village, group sessions are hosted by a church community where food and drink are shared to disco and samba nights as well as a maker’s market. Michael said he started the group because he wanted to bring the local community together and give the LGBTQIA+ community a place to feel welcomed.
Other beneficiaries of the scheme are projects like the Rosa Grindon Mural by Friends of Platt Fields Park. The collaborative effort between the Fallowfield Community Guardians Residents group and the Friends of Platt Fields Park was to bring awareness to the history of the Shakespearean Garden and its founder, Rosa Grindon, who played a significant part in Manchester’s social history.
The refreshed scheme aims to make the Your Neighbourhood fund even more recognisable, inclusive, and engaging for residents, helping more people access funding that can improve their neighbourhoods and support grassroots activity.
Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods, said: “This grant scheme has always been about giving residents the support they need to bring great ideas to life in their neighbourhoods. With its new name, it’s clearer than ever that the funding is accessible, easy to apply for, and designed to help local projects thrive. It’s inspiring to see past recipients continue to grow, and we encourage anyone across Manchester who is passionate about giving back, removing barriers, and creating safe, welcoming spaces to get involved.”
Naz Khan, founder of Bike It Walk It CIC, said: “We encourage and promote active travel initiatives for people across Manchester. Part of this is teaching people how to cycle for the first time and providing them with the mechanics knowledge to look after their bikes. There are not may facilities in north Manchester like ours, which spurred me on to create this project. If you have an idea go for it - I had an idea, saw a gap and said we need this in our community.”
Michael Pollard, founder of Didsbury Pride, said: “The Didsbury Pride project has brought the community together regardless of sexuality, age or religion - it’s a great day for the community. The funding helps us pay for the stage, for instance, which helps everyone see what is happening”
For more information on the scheme and how to apply, visit www.manchester.gov.uk/neighbourhoodfund or contact yourneighbourhoodfund@manchester.gov.uk