Southend City Council has launched the Southend Culture Small Grants Scheme, a new funding programme offering grants to support creative, cultural, and community-led activities across the city.

Funded through the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), the scheme is designed to champion Southend’s grassroots cultural scene, helping local people bring fresh ideas to life and strengthening the vibrancy of existing community events. 

Grants of £250 to £1,500 are available to:

• Strengthen and sustain existing community-led festivals and events by helping them grow, fill gaps in provision, or become financially viable.

• Support the establishment of new initiatives that amplify diverse voices and reflect the richness of Southend’s communities.

The fund supports a wide range of activity, including festivals, performances, workshops, public art, heritage projects, and initiatives that amplify Southend’s diverse voices.

Grants are available to individuals, organisations, and community groups who live, work, or have a demonstrable connection to Southend-on-Sea. Funding can be used for programming, hiring specialist staff, equipment purchase or hire, and widening access for underrepresented audiences.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the fund is fully allocated on or before 31 January 2026.

Who Can Apply:

• Individuals, voluntary or professional organisations, and community groups.

• Applicants must live or work in Southend-on-Sea or have a demonstrable connection to the city.

• Applicants must have a registered bank account in the name of the applying organisation or individual.

What Can Be Funded:

Grants of £250 to £1,500 can be used to:

• Support existing community-led festivals and events to grow, improve viability, or fill gaps in provision.

• Support the establishment new initiatives that reflect diverse voices and promote inclusion.

• Hire staff, freelancers, or specialists (e.g. health & safety officers) to safely and successfully deliver events or activities

• Purchase or hire equipment necessary for delivery.

• Add new content or programming to existing events.

• Target underrepresented communities or audiences.

Conditions of Funding:

• All funded activity must take place within Southend-on-Sea.

• Projects must be non-commercial and not of a solely religious nature.

• Applicants must commit to a simple evaluation of the grant’s impact.

• Unused or misused funds must be returned to Southend-on-Sea City Council.

• All projects must comply with standard public grant conditions.

Environmental Responsibility:

Applicants are encouraged to:

• Wholly eliminate or minimise the use of single-use plastics.

• Promote public transport and sustainable travel to events.

• Consider the environmental footprint of their activities.