The £250,000 pilot fund, part of the £20m Darwen Pride in Place Programme, aims to support a number of projects that can have a positive impact on residents and their local communities.
And community groups and organisations can now express their interest through a simple online form, with grants of up to £30,000 each available.
Once the learning from this pilot fund is considered, it’s expected that the Darwen Community Fund will be fully rolled out next year.
The Pride in Place Programme – alongside the Darwen Town Deal – is being overseen by a new Darwen Town Board, chaired by Tracey Alcock, Managing Director of Herbert Parkinson – part of the John Lewis Partnership and a major local employer.
Tracey said:
“We’re delighted to able to launch this new Darwen Community Fund pilot with £250,000 worth of grants being made available as part of this first round.
“There’s a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes as we shape our long-term plans, but we know how important it is that people start to see real benefits in our town.
“These grants are about quick wins – supporting projects that can make a real difference with a boost of funding.
“What residents, businesses and community groups have told us loud and clear is that they want to see positive action and investment in the things that matter most to them, and this new fund will help with that.”
Although the £20m Pride in Place funding was announced around 18 months ago, the full programme will only officially start next year once the Government has reviewed all of the detailed investment plans.
Extensive consultation was carried out to shape the plans with key priorities shared by residents, businesses and community organisations, including:
Improving the town centre and supporting local businesses
Creating a safe, welcoming town centre
Providing positive activities for young people
Enhancing parks and green spaces
Showcasing Darwen through music, arts and culture
Supporting charities and community groups
Helping manufacturing businesses stay competitive
Removing barriers to skills training and access to jobs
Tracey added:
“Darreners have a reputation for rolling up their sleeves and getting things done – and that’s exactly what we’ve been doing to make sure every penny of this funding delivers for the town.
“With our investment plan now submitted to Government, we want to press ahead with our pilot of the new Darwen Community Fund so we can begin supporting important projects in the town and give residents a feel for what’s to come.
“This pilot is an important first step so we can learn lessons ahead of a full launch the Darwen Community Fund, expected in Summer 2026.
“There are so many brilliant groups already making a difference in Darwen, and this fund will help them grow and do even more of the good work that makes our town such a special place.”
Previous ‘quick wins’ delivered under the Darwen Town Deal – worth £100m when combining government funding, Council contributions and private investment – include supporting the restoration of the beloved Jubilee Tower and the transformation of Junction4 Skatepark into an Olympic-standard facility.
The new Community Fund will be open to all community groups in the town as well as businesses that support the community, with the Darwen Town Board reviewing the applications.
Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and Vice Chair of the Darwen Town Board, said:
“Darwen’s community spirit really is second to none.
“We’ve listened closely to what people have said should be priorities for this new funding, and this fund is a direct response to that.
“Whilst up to £30,000 is available, no idea is too small – it’s about getting good things done on the ground that will make a genuine difference.
“We can’t wait to get started and see what project ideas come in.”
Darwen was one of the first 75 towns selected for funding under this programme, previously known as the Long-Term Plan for Towns and then the Plan for Neighbourhoods initiative.
More than £7m will be available in the first four years, with almost £4m earmarked in the plan for regeneration, high streets and heritage – including improvements to parks and green spaces – alongside a young people’s programme and this new community fund too.
With the Government widening the remit to include employment and skills, more than £1m has also been proposed to support local businesses and the town’s workforce.
Andy MacNae, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, said:
“People in Darwen want to see early progress – and they’re ready to start putting this funding to good use.
“This first £250,000 could be a catalyst for many groups already doing incredible work in our communities.
“Please share details of this fund with any organisations you think could benefit. This is about supporting the people and projects that make Darwen the town we’re all proud of.”
You can register your interest now by completing this form.
If you would like support completing the form, you can email: darwenprojects@blackburn.gov.uk.
The deadline for expressions of interest is midnight on Sunday, January 18th.
For those unsuccessful this time around, as funding is limited as part of the pilot, a further opportunity is expected to be made available in Summer 2026, as part of the Darwen Pride in Place Board’s 4-year Investment Plan, once agreed with Government.
