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Severn Waste Services Community Action Fund (UK)

Deadline: 20-May-2026

The Severn Waste Services Community Action Fund (SWS CAF) provides grants between £5,000 and £40,000 to not-for-profit organisations to improve community amenities and public spaces. Eligible projects include village halls, play areas, sports grounds, parks, nature reserves, and museums, with a maximum total project cost of £250,000, including VAT.

About the SWS CAF

The SWS Community Action Fund offers financial support to not-for-profit organisations to enhance community facilities and public spaces across the UK. Funded projects aim to improve recreational, cultural, and natural spaces while ensuring accessibility and engagement for the wider community. The fund aligns with Object D and Object DA of the Landfill Communities Fund to support amenity development and maintenance.

What Projects are Supported

The fund provides grants for amenity projects at locations including: village halls and community centres, public play areas, multi-use games areas, skate parks and BMX tracks, sports and recreation grounds with pavilions or clubhouses open to the public, community spaces within churches available for hire, nature reserves, public gardens, parks, country parks, woodlands with dawn-to-dusk access, and museums. All projects must take place at a single publicly accessible location.

Funding Amounts and Eligibility

  • Grants range from £5,000 to £40,000 per project

  • Maximum total project cost: £250,000 including VAT

  • Eligible applicants: registered charities, churches or parochial church councils, parish or town councils, management committees or user associations acting on behalf of a parish or town council, local authorities, and CASC-registered sports clubs

  • Funded work must be undertaken at a single amenity or location open to the public

Who Can Apply

Eligible organisations must demonstrate:

  • Legal not-for-profit status as outlined above

  • Commitment to public accessibility for the funded facility

  • Focus on delivering tangible improvements to the amenity or community space

  • Projects that strengthen community engagement, provide safe and welcoming environments, and enhance local neighbourhoods

Why the SWS CAF Matters

The fund helps organisations improve facilities that benefit the wider community, enhancing recreational, cultural, and natural spaces. It encourages projects that foster social interaction, support physical activity, promote environmental stewardship, and provide safe, inclusive spaces for all members of the public.

How to Apply

  1. Identify a single eligible amenity or community space

  2. Confirm that your organisation meets eligibility criteria

  3. Prepare a project proposal detailing objectives, anticipated outcomes, budget, and timeline

  4. Submit the application through the official SWS CAF portal or via guidance provided for Landfill Communities Fund grants

  5. Await assessment and feedback from the SWS CAF grant committee

Tips for Applicants

  • Ensure the chosen site is fully accessible to the public

  • Provide clear plans for how the grant will enhance community use and engagement

  • Include evidence of community support or consultation where relevant

  • Detail costs accurately, including VAT, to stay within the maximum project budget

  • Focus on tangible, long-lasting improvements that benefit multiple users

FAQs

  1. What is the minimum and maximum grant amount? £5,000 minimum and £40,000 maximum per project.

  2. Which types of organisations are eligible? Registered charities, churches or parochial church councils, parish or town councils, management committees or user associations, local authorities, and CASC-registered sports clubs.

  3. Can multiple locations be funded under a single application? No, all work must take place at a single amenity or location.

  4. Are museums eligible for funding? Yes, museums with public access are eligible.

  5. Does the total project cost include VAT? Yes, the maximum total project cost, including VAT, is £250,000.

  6. Are parks and nature reserves eligible? Yes, provided they are publicly accessible at least from dawn to dusk.

  7. What types of improvements are prioritised? Projects that enhance recreational, cultural, or natural spaces, strengthen community engagement, and provide safe and welcoming environments.

Conclusion

The Severn Waste Services Community Action Fund provides crucial support for UK organisations to enhance community amenities and public spaces. By funding projects that improve accessibility, safety, and engagement, the SWS CAF strengthens local communities and promotes sustainable, inclusive development for recreational, cultural, and natural environments.

For more information, visit FCC Communities Foundation.