The grants offer up to £350 per project from a total citywide budget of £39,000. Each ward has £3,000 available to support local community initiatives until April 2027.
Community groups across Exeter are being encouraged to apply for Ward Grants to help bring local projects and events to life.
Ward Grants can support one-off projects such as community festivals, theatre productions, craft groups and neighbourhood activities.
Funding can be used for equipment, materials, publicity, resources and refreshments but not for ongoing running costs such as wages, rent, utility bills or continuing facilitator fees.
Applications must demonstrate clear community support and show how local people have been involved in shaping the project.
Groups are encouraged to provide evidence of engagement, including surveys, doorstep conversations, coffee mornings, school gate discussions or community events.
Projects must support at least one of Exeter City Council’s key priorities, including:
- Addressing inequalities
- Improving health and wellbeing
- Getting people active
- Supporting communities to work together
- Encouraging volunteering
- Improving neighbourhoods
- Supporting arts and culture
- Promoting digital inclusion
All grants require some form of match funding. For Ward Grants this can include volunteer time.
Community groups are strongly advised to speak to their local ward councillors and Community Builders who are themselves funded by Exeter City Council through our support for Wellbeing Exeter, before applying, as support and advice is available throughout the process.
Funding is not available for building projects, political or religious promotion, overseas travel, fundraising events or projects that mainly support statutory services.
Due to high demand, there is no guarantee that applicants will receive the full amount requested.
Councillor Liz Pole, Lead Councillor for Climate and Ecological Change and Communities and Customer Services, said: “Ward grants are a great way for local people to turn ideas into action and make a positive difference in their communities.
“We want to encourage groups of all sizes to come forward with projects that help bring people together and improve life across Exeter.”
Applications and further guidance are available on the Exeter City Council website: Exeter Ward Grants - Exeter City Council

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