Landslides Grant

Research, prevention and remediation
Issued by: Hastings Borough Council
Total Budget: £20,000 
Submission Deadline: 8 March 2026

1. Introduction

Hastings Borough Council invites applications for the Landslides Grant, designed to support local organisations working to improve understanding, prevention, monitoring, and community resilience in relation to landslides affecting Hastings.

The town’s geology and climate make landslides a persistent and growing risk. This grant seeks to build local capability, strengthen community knowledge, and test innovative or low‑cost approaches that reduce risk or improve preparedness, rather than funding large‑scale engineering works.

The council is particularly interested in projects that:

• build local skills and knowledge relating to land stability and cliff safety;
• increase community awareness, preparedness, or monitoring capacity;
• support climate resilience and adaptation;
• engage young people, especially those facing disadvantage, and create pathways into skills, training, or future employment.

Funding is available for charities, voluntary and community groups, social enterprises, and other not-for-profit organisations working in Hastings. 

2. Background

Hastings is built on a complex geology of Wealden sandstone and clay, combined with steep internal and coastal cliffs. This geology, alongside increasing rainfall intensity and coastal erosion, creates an ongoing risk of landslides and ground instability.
Landslides pose:

• public safety risks, including cliff falls and ground movement affecting paths, roads, and homes;
• financial impacts, with properties becoming difficult or impossible to insure;
• pressure on council resource as monitoring and remediation are technically complex and expensive.

Comprehensive monitoring across the entire borough is not financially viable, and the council also faces capacity challenges in expanding its Land Stability function quickly enough to meet emerging risks.

There is therefore a strong need to:

• grow local monitoring, observational, and reporting capacity;
• build community understanding of risk and safe behaviour;
• develop early‑stage innovations, partnerships, and learning that can inform longer‑term strategies.

The council is seeking partners willing to work collaboratively to address these challenges, particularly in areas with higher levels of deprivation or limited access to skills and opportunities. 

3. Who can apply

You can apply if your organisation is:

• A registered charity;
• A community or voluntary group;
• A community interest company (CIC);
• A social enterprise;
• A not-for-profit organisation.

Applicants must have:

• A governing document;
• A bank account with two unrelated signatories;
• Appropriate policies (e.g., safeguarding, data protection);
• The capacity to deliver the proposed project.

4. How much you can apply for

The total budget available for this programme is £20,000.

Grant awards may vary in size depending on the nature, scale, and risk profile of the proposed project.

While many awards are expected to be relatively modest, the council may consider larger awards, up to the full programme budget, where an application demonstrates:

• strong governance and financial management
• proven delivery capacity and relevant experience
• clear value for money and defined outputs
• a robust and deliverable project plan.

The council reserves the right to apply additional monitoring, reporting, and payment controls to higher-value awards, in order to ensure appropriate oversight and audit compliance.

Projects with match funding or in-kind support are encouraged but not required.

5. How to apply

To apply, please complete the online application form and submit it by 8 March 2026.  You will be asked to provide:

• A summary of your project
• Expected outcomes and benefit
• A detailed budget
• Information about your organisation and governance.

Supporting documents (e.g., accounts, policies) may be requested during assessment.

6. Assessment process

Applications will be assessed against published criteria, including:

• Alignment with the aims of the Landslides Grant
• Evidence of local need and community benefit
• Quality and deliverability of the project
• Value for money
• Expected outcomes and impact
• Contribution to skills development and climate resilience.

A scoring matrix is used to ensure fairness and consistency. 

7. Key dates

• Applications open: 6 February 2026
• Applications close: 8 March 2026
• Decisions communicated: 23 March 2026
• Projects must start by: 1 June 2026.

8. Monitoring and assurance  

All organisations receiving funding through the Landslides Grant will be required to demonstrate that public funds have been used appropriately and in line with the agreed proposal.
Monitoring and assurance arrangements will be proportionate to the size and risk of the grant award, and may include:

• A short end-of-project report outlining activities delivered, outcomes achieved, and learning gained
• Evidence of expenditure and outputs
• Interim updates for longer or higher-value projects.

For larger awards, additional controls may be applied, such as:

• Agreed milestones and delivery checkpoints
• Payments made in instalments or against receipts
• Enhanced reporting requirements to support audit and compliance.

These arrangements are intended to protect both the council and funded organisations, while ensuring the programme delivers meaningful outcomes and learning.

9. Apply now

Please complete the online application form.

10. Contact

Sarah Tye 
Hastings Borough Council
Email: StrategicProjects@hastings.gov.uk