The East Midland Combined County Authority (EMCCA) has set up the Mayor’s Community Development Fund (CDF).
Community groups in 10 priority areas across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are being encouraged to bid for a slice of a new £3 million fund to tackle deprivation and improve lives.
The Mayor’s Community Development Fund was launched today (4 September) by Mayor of the East Midlands Claire Ward and English devolution minister Jim McMahon.
The 10 priority areas across the East Midlands chosen to benefit are:
The fund, which will run over the next three years, is aimed at boosting community resilience, increasing local skills, and enabling people to take control of shaping their own neighbourhoods.
The primary focus will be for areas within the EMCCA region that face the dual challenge of deprivation and lack of community and voluntary organisations with the capacity to take ownership of solutions and ‘help themselves’. This has been exacerbated by a reduction over time in the available resources and infrastructure to set up and support groups in those communities.
Organisations that can build capacity and resilience within communities will be encouraged to apply for the fund using a grant application process demonstrating how they meet the criteria and how they can deliver activity.
Please note:
Over the next three years, the fund will:
A priority area is a ward within the region. These wards have been identified as having high levels of deprivation, low levels of community engagement and limited access to grant funding.
Voluntary and community organisations, charities, community interest companies (CICs), faith-based groups, and social enterprises. You must be based in or working closely with, one of the identified priority areas or be able to demonstrate how you will engage and work with groups within the area.
Projects that strengthen communities and help local people and can demonstrate how they can leave a legacy beyond the period of funding. Examples include:
Skills and employability support
Health and wellbeing activities
Helping local groups with governance and capacity
Creating or improving community spaces
Reducing isolation and loneliness
Other activities that meet local priorities
Your project should be designed and shaped by local people. You’ll need to show how residents have been involved in planning and will be part of delivery.
The total Mayor’s Community Development Fund budget is £3 million, to be shared across the 10 areas. Each area will receive an allocation from this overall fund. Within each area there will also be:
A small grants pot (around £8,000) to support new or grassroots groups
Up to a 10% contribution towards local management and support costs
Projects must be community-led, with local people involved in planning and delivery. Examples include:
Yes. There is a small grants pot for emerging groups, and partnership or mentoring routes are encouraged. You don’t need to be a large organisation, but you do need to show community‑led planning.
National organisations can apply, but the Fund will prioritise local groups already active in the area. If you are a national group, you must show strong community links and a clear plan to build long-term capacity, not just deliver services from outside.
You will be expected to provide progress reports focusing on outcomes like the number of people involved, volunteer activity, and community feedback. EMCCA will also arrange an independent evaluation to review the impact of the whole programme.
Yes. You just need to show that the CDF funding adds value and does not duplicate what you already have.
The EOI opens on Thursday 4 September 2025 and will stay open throughout the process, including the main application period. Filling in an EOI gives you the chance to get advice and guidance before you apply.
However, it’s not compulsory — you can still submit a full application without completing an EOI
Mayors Community Development Fund – East Midlands Combined County Authority
Thursday 4 September 2025 – Expression of Interest (EOI) opens and stays open throughout (including the application period).
Thursday 4 September 2025 – Expression of Interest (EOI) opens and stays open throughout (including the application period).
Monday 13th October 2025 – Full application window opens.
Monday 24th November 2025 (5pm) – Full application window closes.
December 2025 – Friday 30 January 2026 – Assessment, moderation and approvals
By Friday 30 January 2026 – Decisions issued, and grant agreements finalised.
Monday 2 February 2026 – Projects start in the priority areas.
For any additional questions or correspondence, please email:
