Mayor opens £10k Summer of Sport fund for grassroots organisations 

Grassroots organisations across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire are being encouraged to apply for a share of £10,000 following on from Mayor Claire Ward’s Summer of Sport. 

The Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, has launched the Community Activity Challenge Fund, offering grants of between £250 and £2,000 to local groups to deliver free sport and activity opportunities between 1 September and 30 November 2026. 

The fund is designed to increase participation in sport and physical activity by supporting organisations to deliver inclusive, accessible and community-led activities. 

Funding is available for a range of projects, including community sport sessions, walking initiatives, disability sport, women’s and girls’ programmes, community events and sport-focused holiday provision.

Mayor Claire said: “The East Midlands is a fantastic region for sport, but we know there are areas across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire where people face barriers to participation, and I wanted to do something to address that. I’ve opened this fund to help local organisations create more opportunities for our residents to reap the benefits that sport and physical activity can bring. 

“By investing this money directly into local communities, it will support initiatives that improve health, wellbeing and community pride.” 

Summer of Sport

The programme is designed to increase physical activity levels and support wider community benefits such as stronger community cohesion, local pride, improved use of parks and public spaces, and increased engagement with local events. 

Eligible applicants include charities, community interest companies, voluntary and community groups, faith organisations, parish and town councils, and sports clubs operating within Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. 

Activities supported through the fund must be free to participants and take place within Derbyshire or Nottinghamshire between 1 September and 30 November 2026. 

How to apply 

Applications for the Community Activity Challenge Fund are now open. Click here for full eligibility criteria, guidance and application details. Applications close 23 August 2026.