Design For Change Fund
Supporting our local communities to develop their ideas into projects, so we can realise the change your neighbourhood needs!
The Design For Change Fund is now open and accepting applications from community groups and not-for-profit organisations in the B&NES, Somerset, and Wiltshire areas.
The deadline to submit your application has been extended until November 21, 2025. Please click the link here to complete and submit your application now.
What Is The Fund?
The Design for Change Fund supports local community groups in the early stages of their projects by providing access to design expertise. The fund helps you explore and develop ideas for improving your neighbourhood — turning early-stage thinking into well-shaped, feasible projects.
We connect organisations with local professional designers who can help test possibilities, refine your ideas, and develop a clear path toward delivery.
Whether your idea is just beginning or already taking shape, we welcome projects of all sizes — especially those that aim to bring lasting benefits to your community in one or more of the following ways:
EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES
CREATING HEALTHY, INCLUSIVE & ACCESSIBLE PLACES
ENABLING COMMUNITY WEALTH-BUILDING
HELPING ADDRESS THE NATURE & CLIMATE EMERGENCY
What Support Is Available?
As part of the Design for Change Fund, your group can get help with things like:
DEFINE PROJECT SCOPE | Turn your ideas into a clear project brief to help you to commission design support
EXPLORE DESIGN OPTIONS | Sketch potential layout drawings to test refine your brief and identify a preferred option
VISUALISE YOUR IDEA | Create simple sketch visuals to help communicate your project intent
PROVIDE EARLY STRUCTURAL ADVICE | Test the structural viability of design options developed
- THINK SUSTAINABLY | Explore ways to reduce your projects environmental impact
CHECK PLANNING NEEDS | Receive early guidance on permissions and approvals required for your project
ESTIMATE PROJECT COSTS | Get early cost estimates to support budgeting and fundraising
- PLAN YOUR NEXT STEPS | Support you to develop a project timeline; identifying key project stages and milestone
What Is The 25/26 Fund Timeline?
The time line for the Design For Change Fund 2025/2026 will be as follows:
Stage 1 | 5th of June 2025
Fund Opens For Applications.
Stage 2 | 21st of November 2025
Fund Closes For Applications.
Stage 3 | w/c 8th of December 2025
Announcement of Successful Projects.
Stage 4 | December - February 2025
Prepare Design Brief With NTB.
Stage 5 | TBC.
Matching & Design Work Begins.
Stage 6 | TBC.
Completion Of Requested Design Work.
What is the Commitment Fee?
Neighbourhood Toolbox (NTB) is here to help your project succeed. To make the most of our designers’ time, we ask each group to pay a small commitment fee. This shows you’re serious about your idea and that your community supports it.
The commitment fee is either 10% of the designer’s time (£80/hour) or a maximum of £500, whichever is less.
When you apply, you’ll need to show that you can cover this maximum fee or have a plan to do so by February 2026.
Payment schedule:
Start of Stage 4 | Prepare Design Brief: £100 of the fee is to paid to NTB. This covers the support we provide to prepare your project brief and make a match with a suitable designer for your project.
End of Stage 6 | Completion of Design Work: The remaining fee (up to the agreed maximum) is paid directly to the designer once the design work is complete.
How To Apply?
This Design For Change Fund 2025 is now open. Community groups interested in applying must complete the application form by clicking the link here:
To support you to prepare your application please download the sample application form to get a summary of the questions and information will be required to submit as a part of your application:
How Do I Find Out More Information?
For more information about the fund please download the Design For Change Fund 2025 prospectus here:
For more information about the service agreement you will be expected to enter into with the design professionals see here:
Who has this fund supported previously?
Following the launch of our first round of the Design For Change Fund in 24/25 Neighbourhood Toolbox has been working with several local community groups to develop their project briefs and match them with our members to receive early design support. Some of the community groups supported included:
Heal Rewilding Somerset
Following the recent acquisition of their Somerset site, Heal Rewilding in Somerset came to the Design For Change Fund in 2024 requesting support to explore the feasibility of Phase 1 of their redevelopment. This involves the sensitive restoration of the existing 17th-century stone buildings into rental accommodation and a multipurpose community space where they can educate the community about Heal’s mission.
Horningsham Village Hall
As Horningsham Village Hall’s 100th-anniversary approaches in 2030, the Hall’s committee applied to the Design For Change Fund 2024, requesting design support to undertake an early capacity study to explore options for necessary restorations and potential improvements to ensure their Village Hall can meet the needs of the community and neighbouring villages both today and in the future.
WAN Food Hub
With the current cost-of-living crisis increasing the demand for their food bank service, Westbury Area Network (WAN) has outgrown its current premises. Therefore, in 2024, WAN applied to the Design For Change Fund with a request to explore options to refurbish a high-street unit so the can consider the viability of moving and scaling up the operation of the food bank from this more easily accessible premises.