Stanley SuDS+ Community Fund
The Stanley SuDS+ Community Fund offers grants between £1000 and £5000 to local groups, schools and charities seeking funding for local ideas that make Stanley greener, stronger and more connected.
Please note we have extended the deadline for applications until 10am on Monday 5th October 2026.
In addition to applications made via our portal, we will now also accept applications made by answering the questions within the “Application Form and Guidance” Word document (downloadable from the link below) and emailed to stanleycommunityfund@groundwork.org.uk.
The Stanley SuDS+ Community Fund (Stanley SuDS+) is open and available, welcoming applications of local ideas that make Stanley greener, stronger and more connected.
Grants of £1,000 to £5,000 are available for local groups, schools, charities and organisations.
Applications close at 1pm on Friday 2nd October 2026. Projects must be completed and reported on by 31 March 2027.
About the Stanley SuDS+ Community Fund
The Stanley SuDS+ Community Fund supports local projects that make Stanley greener, stronger and more connected. It is part of Stanley SuDS+, a five-year project working with communities to reduce flood risk and; the “+” in SuDS+; create wider environmental, social and wellbeing benefits
A total of £30,000 is available for community-led projects in South Moor & Quaking Houses, South Stanley, East Stanley and Craghead & The Middles.
Stanley SuDS+ is part of a Defra-funded innovation programme testing new ways to reduce flood risk. Partners include Arup, Durham County Council, the Environment Agency, Isle Utilities, Northumbrian Water, Teesside University, Veridian Logic, Wear Rivers Trust, local community groups and residents.
Groundwork London administers the grant in collaboration with Groundwork North East & Cumbria, on behalf of Isle Utilities.
What Can You Apply for?
Projects must support at least one Stanley SuDS+ vision areas:
- Create a Sense of Pride and Ownership Over the Local Environment
- Create Beautiful, Vibrant and Diverse Public Spaces Accessible to All
- Strengthen Local Community-Led Networks, Groups and Services
- Provide Training and Education for the Workplaces of the Future
- Help Create Local Job Opportunities and Support Organisations
- Support Affordable Living Costs and Improve the Quality of Housing
- Enhance Community Resilience to Flooding
Examples of eligible projects
- Community gardens, food-growing or biodiversity projects
- Rain gardens or other small-scale SuDS features
- Environmental education, flood awareness or volunteering activities
- Skills training, employability or community space improvements
Grants can cover capital, revenue and related project costs, including equipment, plants and materials, sessional workers, workshops, volunteer support, promotion, travel and refreshments.
Who can apply?
Local organisations and groups can apply if they are based in, or deliver work in, South Moor & Quaking Houses, South Stanley, East Stanley or Craghead & The Middles.
The following types of groups/organisations are eligible to apply:
- Constituted Community Organisation
- Not for Profit Community Interest Company (CIC)
- Registered Charity
- Education Establishment/Schools
- Religious Organisation
- Company Limited by Guarantee
- Friends of Group
- Tenants and Residents Association
- Unconstituted groups
Timeline
| Event | Date |
| Online Application Support Workshop | Thursday 10th September, 4pm – 5:30pm |
| In-person Grant Information workshop | Tuesday 15th September, 2pm – 4pm |
| Application window closes | Friday 2nd October, 1pm |
| Outcome announcements | Mid-October 2026 |
| First payments made | Late October 2026 |
| Delivery starts | 2nd November 2026 |
| Mid-project monitoring | January 2027 |
Applicants are invited to Grant Information Workshop online and or in person to learn more about the Stanley SuDS+ Community Fund.
The session will provide an overview of the fund, including who can apply, what can be funded, key dates and how to complete the application process. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions. Please register your attendance below.
Online Thursday 10th September 2026 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm , or you’re welcome to join us on Tuesday 15th September 2 pm – 4 pm at Craghead Village Hall for the in-person Grant Information Workshop.
Contact
If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Groundwork London grants team on stanleycommunityfund@groundwork.org.uk or call 020 7239 1292.
