3rd June 2025
The Platinum Jubilee Village Hall Fund 2025–26 is now open for applications. The fund provides a valuable opportunity for village halls and community buildings to access capital funding for significant improvement projects that will help secure their long-term future. :contentReference[oaicite:0]
Grants of between £7,500 and £75,000 are available and can cover up to 20% of eligible project costs. This means projects must have a minimum total eligible cost of £37,500. Funding is available for capital improvement works such as upgrading, extending or improving facilities, or purchasing capital items linked to those improvements. Maintenance, repair and renewal works are not eligible. :contentReference[oaicite:1]
The funding aims to support projects that help village halls:
- Improve health and wellbeing and reduce rural loneliness.
- Have a positive impact on the environment and contribute towards net zero ambitions.
- Support the local rural economy.
- Promote community cohesion.
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To be eligible, village halls must generally:
- Be charity owned and managed by the community.
- Be located in a rural community with a population of fewer than 10,000 people.
- Have a freehold interest or a lease with at least 21 years remaining.
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Projects funded through this programme must be completed by 31 March 2026. :contentReference[oaicite:4]
Application process
Applications are made through a two-stage process.
Stage One requires applicants to submit basic information about their organisation, community and proposed project to determine eligibility. There is currently no fixed closing date, but applications will be processed in the order they are received and the fund may close if oversubscribed. Groups are therefore encouraged to apply as soon as possible. :contentReference[oaicite:5]
If a Stage One application is successful, applicants will be invited to proceed to Stage Two. At that stage, ACT will work with eligible Cumbrian village halls to help strengthen applications and maximise the chances of securing funding. ACT strongly encourages groups to contact the Community Buildings Team as soon as they receive a Stage Two invitation due to the relatively short timescales involved. :contentReference[oaicite:6]
The fund was originally established to mark Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee and recognises the vital contribution that village halls make to rural communities across England. Previous rounds of funding have supported a wide range of improvements, including new roofs with solar panels, upgraded kitchens and toilets, improved accessibility, building extensions and enhanced community facilities. :contentReference[oaicite:7]
For full guidance, eligibility criteria and application forms, visit the ACRE website.
If your hall is considering a major improvement project and would like support with planning, fundraising or developing an application, please contact ACT's Community Buildings Team.
