Design For Change Fund
Supporting our local communities to develop their ideas into projects, so we can realise the change your neighbourhood needs!
Neighbourhood Toolbox’s Design For Change Fund 2024 is now closed for applications from Community Groups and not-for-profit organisations across B&NES, Somerset & Wiltshire areas to apply.
Thanks to everyone who submitted applications. We are presently in the process of reviewing and aim to announce those progressing to the next stage by the start of November.
This is an annual fund so we will be back in 2025 to offer further support.
What Is The Fund?
This Design for Change fund aims to help community groups with early ideas to improve their neighbourhoods with the opportunity to access early design advice from local design professionals to help undertake early ‘feasibility’ advice to develop your project and support you in creating a design-led case and producing the materials needed to support broader engagement and attract vital funding for your project!
This fund can help groups with any project idea that requires feasibility design support. Though not extensive, we particularly encourage groups to apply if their project helps their community with one or more of the following themes:
EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES
CREATING HEALTHY, INCLUSIVE & ACCESSIBLE PLACES
ENABLING COMMUNITY WEALTH-BUILDING
HELPING ADDRESS THE NATURE & CLIMATE EMERGENCY
What Support Is Available?
In applying for the Design For Change Fund groups have the opportunity to access ‘Design Time’ volunteered by local Design and Construction Professionals from across the B&NES, Somerset & Wiltshire areas. From this Design Time available we can support your group to undertake the following feasibility design work:
- Brief development & testing
- Create a project programme
- Space and layout analysis
- Massing studies
- Sketch designs
- Sketch visualisations
- Structural analysis
- Initial Planning advice
- Indicative cost estimates
- Circular economy analysis
- Early construction method advice
- Prepare engagement plans
- Develop a fundraising strategy
What Is The 24/25 Timeline?
The time line for the Design For Change Fund 2024 will be as follows:
Stage 1
Fund Opens For Applications.
10 Aug. 24
Stage 2
Fund Closes For Applications.
04 Oct. 24
Stage 3
Successful Applicants Informed.
01 Nov. 24
Stage 4
Matching & Design Work Begins.
Dec/Jan 24
What is the Commitment Fee?
Neighbourhood Toolbox believes projects must be set up to succeed. Therefore, groups applying to access the time of design professionals will be expected to demonstrate their commitment and community buy-in to their idea through making a nominal payment—a commitment fee—towards the designers’ time they will access through this fund.
The commitment fee will be relative to your project and calculated as 10% of the designer’s time committed (based on an hourly rate of £50 per hour) or £350, whichever is lowest. For clarity, this means, at a maximum, groups will be expected to pay a maximum of £350 for any design support they receive through this fund.
Groups making the application must demonstrate that they have secured the funding before applying. However, applicants will only be expected to make payment of the fee upon the designer compleetign the agreed works.
How Do I Find Out More Information?
For more information please download the Design For Change Fund 2024 prospectus here:
How To Apply?
Those community groups looking to apply will be expected to complete an application form. This round is now closed however we have prepared a sample application form for you to downloaded as a word document to help you review suitability. Please note this may be subject to some changes when the next funding round opens.