Community and Environment Fund
UK Government · England
The Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) provide grant funding to support communities and local economies disrupted by HS2 construction. CEF focuses on community and environmental improvements, while BLEF supports business and economic activity.
Overview
The Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) provide grant funding to support communities and local economies disrupted by HS2 construction. CEF focuses on community and environmental improvements, while BLEF supports business and economic activity.
Grant details
Application Components: Application form, project proposal, supporting documentation (as per guidance)
Application Platform: Online via hs2funds.org.uk
Assessment Criteria: Demonstrated disruption from HS2, value for money, community or economic impact, and scale of benefits delivered
Decision Process: ~8 weeks for grants up to £75,000; ~16 weeks for Stage 1 and additional ~16 weeks for Stage 2 for larger grants (£75,001 to £250,000)
Decision Risks: Longer timelines for larger or multi-stage applications
Doctoral Studentships: Not specified
Eligible Research Costs: Not specified
Eligible Training Costs: Business support services and training for disrupted businesses under BLEF
Environmental & EDI Requirements: CEF supports biodiversity, environmental improvements, and community access enhancements
Funding Structure: CEF Local: up to £75,000; CEF Strategic: £75,001 to £250,000; BLEF: £10,000 to £250,000 (capital and revenue grants)
Future Funding (Subject to Stage Gate): Not specified
Governance Requirements: Organisations must ensure no financial benefit to members/directors and maintain proper governance documentation
important notes: Funding aims to provide additional support beyond statutory compensation; projects must demonstrate clear impact from HS2 disruption; different funding bands apply based on project scale
In-Kind Support: Not specified
Industry Leverage Expectation: Value for money assessed based on business impact and benefits delivered
Ineligible Applicants: Organisations not established for public benefit or without required governance structure
Ineligible Costs: Not explicitly specified
Initial Research Grant: Not specified
Intent to Apply Deadline: Not specified
International Participation: Not specified
Key Organisational Requirements: Must be not-for-profit, have a governing document, minimum of three unrelated trustees/directors, and a bank account with at least two signatories
Match Funding Requirement: Not specified
Monitoring Requirements: Not specified
Project Start Date: Not specified
Renewal Structure: Open throughout construction period and first year of HS2 operation
Training Grant: Included under BLEF (business support services and training for businesses)
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Closing date
- 31 Mar 2035
- Funding amount
- Up to £45m
- Funding type
- Grant
- Audience
- Business, Charity & Community
- Industry
- Energy & Environment