A Community Grants Programme, as part of the wider Pride in Place initiative across Rawtenstall, Waterfoot and Crawshawbooth is due to launch later this year.

The programme is designed to put community groups at the heart of local regeneration, providing funding and support for locally led capital projects that improve shared spaces, strengthen community activity, and enhance everyday wellbeing across the area. It will enable community organisations, voluntary groups and local partnerships to bring forward ideas that directly respond to local needs and priorities.

Projects could include improvements to community buildings, upgrades to facilities used by local groups, enhancements to public or shared outdoor spaces and other capital works that help create more accessible, welcoming and sustainable community assets.

A key principle of the programme is empowering local groups to shape and deliver projects themselves, with an emphasis on practical support to help turn ideas into deliverable schemes. The approach is intended to strengthen local capacity, encourage collaboration, and ensure investment reflects community knowledge and ambition.

Over a four-year period, £180,000 in grant funding will be made available to support this work across the three town centres.

Further details on eligibility and how to apply will be shared ahead of the programme launch, which is expected later this year.