Hastings Neighbourhood Board news

Ready, Set, Apply! Hastings Pride in Place Funding Now Live

Residents, community groups and organisations across Hastings are being invited to apply for funding through the town’s Pride in Place programme.

Backed by up to £20 million of additional government investment over the next decade, funding is available for a wide range of projects, including improvements to community spaces, activities for young people, and initiatives that strengthen neighbourhoods and support local pride.

The programme is led by Hastings Neighbourhood Board, which brings together residents, community leaders and statutory partners to ensure funding decisions are shaped by what people in Hastings have said they want the money spent on and their priorities. 

Kevin Boorman, Independent Chair of Hastings Neighbourhood Board, said: “Pride in Place is all about listening to local people and responding to what they want to see the money spent on. We’ve already heard from thousands of residents, and we are expecting to start work on our ‘Pride in our Streets’ programme, for very small projects such as noticeboards and bins, very soon.

“We now want to hear from those with ideas for larger projects that will make a difference to their neighbourhoods. We have up to £342,000 available this year for the ‘Pride in our Neighbourhoods’ programme, and this will rise to up to £500,000 annually from next year.

“And also next year we will be asking for bids for our flagship ‘Pride in our town’ programme, with up to £1 million annually for larger projects which will benefit the whole town.

“For now, we want to hear from grassroots organisations, community groups and other partners across Hastings for projects that will benefit their neighbourhood. If you’ve got an idea that could make a difference where you live, we want you to come forward and apply.”

Cllr Julia Hilton, Deputy Leader of Hastings Borough Council, said: “We want to support projects that reflect the real priorities of local people, and that means hearing from a broad range of voices across our town. This funding is a real opportunity to turn ideas into action.
  
“We are keen to hear from groups and residents from every part of our community so that funding goes to projects that matter most locally. I’d strongly encourage as many people as possible to get involved and apply.”

Helena Dollimore, MP for Hastings, Rye and the villages, said: “The Government's Pride in Place fund is a once in a generation opportunity to change Hastings for the better with £21.5 million extra funding to spend on the things local people want.

“When we asked you, thousands of you told us that you wanted safer, cleaner, greener streets and more things for young people to do from play to sport. That’s why we have decided to open grant applications now for the Pride in our Neighbourhoods grants so any resident or local community group who has a project that does these things can apply.

“You don’t have to be an expert or have done this before, and nobody should feel daunted by the application process, so find out more today and do call or email if you need any support with the process. Applications close on the 31st of August, and we want as many people to hear about this opportunity as possible.”

A total of £342,000 is available this year which includes £110,000 of capital funding and £232,000 of revenue funding.

£100,000 of capacity funding is also being made available to ensure neighbourhoods and communities across Hastings can access and apply for funding and for any preparatory work which may be required for future applications.

People interested in applying can find full details, eligibility criteria and how to submit an application online. 

Applications close at 11.59pm on Monday 31 August 2026. 

Notes for editors:
Hastings was selected by the government’s Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to receive up to £20m of funding through the Pride in Place programme to revitalise local areas and fight deprivation at root cause by focusing on three goals: thriving places, stronger communities, and taking back control.

In March 2026 the UK Government approved Hastings Neighbourhood Board’s ten-year regeneration plan, ‘A Hastings for Everyone’, unlocking up to £20 million of additional investment for the town over the next ten years.

Developed with input from thousands of residents, the plan sets out a long term programme to improve Hastings’ streets, neighbourhoods, and public spaces. 
Investment will be delivered through three key themes:

•    Pride in Our Streets – up to £250,000 a year for public realm improvements such as bins, bus shelters, benches and murals 
•    Pride in Our Neighbourhoods – up to £500,000 a year for projects such as improvements to community centres, sports facilities and youth activities 
•    Pride in Our Town – up to £1 million a year (from year 2 of the programme) for heritage projects, infrastructure, town centre or seafront improvements.

Find more information and read the plan.

Find more information on the national Pride in Place programme.