East Thanet MP backs £150,000 fund for community projects in Ramsgate
Applications are open until 15th November for grants of up to £15,000
A £150,000 fund has opened for community-led projects aimed at improving Ramsgate.
Community groups, charities, social enterprises and small businesses are among those eligible to apply for grants of up to £15,000.
It forms part of the town’s £20 million, ten-year regeneration programme, funded through the UK Government’s Pride in Place programme.
Applications opened on 5th October and must be submitted by 11.59pm on 15th November 2026.
What projects can receive funding?
Projects must primarily benefit people in Ramsgate and support at least one of the programme’s five priorities.
These cover the town centre and employment; cleaner and greener public spaces; safer and more accessible streets; opportunities for young people; and health, wellbeing and community support.
Speaking to Hits and Greatest Hits Kent, MP for East Thanet Polly Billington said:
"When we spoke to Ramsgate residents, we had lots of different things. We had surveys, we had conversations all over the place. We found there were five things that we thought that actually this 20 million pounds should be spent on.
"Opening up Ramsgate, cleaning it up, lighting it up, raising it up, and joining it up.
"So opening up is making sure that the businesses are able to keep functioning and thriving.
"Cleaning up is pretty self-evident, but we know that people really value making sure that Ramsgate is as clean and as attractive as possible.
"Lighting it up, because yes, we know we are a beacon for many other places. It's one of the wonderful things we have with our St. George's lantern tower and so forth, but it's also about making sure that it feels safe to be around day and night, raising it up, making sure that we're giving everybody the opportunity to really lift their eyes to the horizon and get the opportunities that they want and join it up, making sure that all the services in Ramsgate are connected to each other, connecting us to the health services that we need and so forth.
"So those five themes, if any small organisation thinks that their idea for how to spend 10 or 15,000 pounds hits at least one, but preferably more of those themes, then we're interested in hearing from them."
Funding can support new projects, expand existing work or sustain an activity where applicants can explain the additional value the grant would provide.
There are two funding streams, with grants available up to £10,000 and between £10,000 and £15,000.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include voluntary and community organisations, registered charities, community interest companies, social enterprises, micro and small businesses, sole traders and freelancers based in Ramsgate.
An applicant’s local presence and experience in the town will form part of the assessment.
Billington added:
"The whole point is we want to make sure that people who are making Ramsgate better, even on their own in a very small way, are able to access some money so that they can make Ramsgate better in a bigger way."
Organisations based outside the town can also be considered if they have a proven local track record and their project primarily benefits people in Ramsgate.
How to apply
Application forms, guidance and eligibility information are available on Ramsgate Town Council’s website, though Billington added that if unsuccessful those applying shouldn't be disheartened:
"What I've learned from doing campaigning for as long as I have is that the worst thing we can say is no.
"And we might not say no forever.
"If it's not right for this grant, it might be right for another one. We want to make sure that rather than this just being a one-off, that this is a process.
"So the more organisations are thinking about how they could contribute to Ramsgate pride in place and what they think they could do with the money, the more likely it is that we're able to make the most of all of the energy and enthusiasm and commitment and expertise that there is in Ramsgate.
"So have a go, even if you get a no this time, you might get a yes next time. It's the beginning of the conversation, not the end."
Projects must be completed by 31st March 2028.