New Community Investment Fund opens to support local communities
Applications are now open for Cheshire West and Chester Council’s new Community Investment Fund, which will support preventative, community-led activity across the borough.
The Fund will invest in activity that helps residents earlier, strengthens communities and prevents, reduces, or delays the need for statutory services.
A total of £897,000 is available in 2026/27, comprising £425,000 of Council funding and £472,000 from the UK Government’s Crisis and Resilience Fund.
Funding priorities
The Community Investment Fund has three priority theme areas:
- Strong Start, supporting early help, stability and targeted support for children, young people, and families
- Healthy and Independent Living, supporting community-based preventative activity that helps adults remain connected, independent, and well
- Financial and Community Resilience, strengthening household stability, crisis response, and community-level support
The first application round will focus on selected priorities. Full details of the priorities, expected outcomes and application requirements are set out in the published guidance on the Council’s website.
Who can apply
Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise organisations and community groups can apply where their proposal addresses the published priorities and meets the requirements in the application guidance. Organisations can apply individually or as part of a partnership or consortium, with one organisation acting as the lead applicant.
Applications will be made through Plinth, the Council’s online grant application platform. Potential applicants should read the guidance in full before starting an application.
Councillor Sheila Little, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said:
We are pleased to open the Community Investment Fund and invite local organisations to bring forward ideas that respond to the priorities set out in the guidance. Community organisations understand their neighbourhoods and the challenges residents face, and this Fund will help support practical, preventative activity that can make a difference.
Councillor Carol Gahan, Cabinet Member for Finance and Legal said:
This Fund is about investing in the strengths, ideas and experience that already exist across our communities. We encourage interested organisations to visit the Council webpage, read the guidance carefully and use the available engagement and support opportunities.
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Support for potential applicants
An in-person application support session will take place on Thursday, 22 October 2026 from 1pm to 3pm at Ellesmere Port Library Committee Room. Booking information and any further support opportunities are available on the Community Investment Fund webpage.
Other support funded through the Crisis and Resilience Fund, including crisis payments, school holiday support payments, heating oil support and the HELP scheme, will continue separately from the Community Investment Fund.
For any questions you may have please contact: CIF@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk