The Community and Environment Fund (CEF), managed by Groundwork UK on behalf of HS2 Ltd, offers grants of up to £250,000 to communities along the HS2 construction route between London and the West Midlands. It forms part of a £40 million fund and is open on a rolling basis throughout the construction period.
About the Community and Environment Fund
The Community and Environment Fund was created to ensure that communities disrupted by HS2 construction receive direct, meaningful benefit from the project. It is independently managed by Groundwork UK — one of the UK’s leading environmental regeneration charities — on behalf of HS2 Ltd. Since opening, the fund has supported hundreds of community projects improving public spaces, sports facilities, cultural life and local environments along the route.
What the Fund Supports
CEF supports projects that deliver measurable improvements to community wellbeing and the environment in areas affected by HS2 construction. There are two grant tiers: CEF Local (up to £75,000) for individual community projects, and CEF Strategic (£75,001–£250,000) for larger cross-community initiatives.
- Health and wellbeing programmes for local communities
- Landscape conservation and environmental improvement
- Sports facilities and active recreation infrastructure
- Cultural activities and community arts
- Public space improvements and regeneration
How Much Funding Is Available
CEF Local grants fund projects up to £75,000. CEF Strategic grants cover larger projects from £75,001 up to £250,000. Both tiers are part of a combined £40 million fund covering the full London to West Midlands HS2 route.
Who Is Eligible
Organisations must be located within or serving communities within 5km of the HS2 construction route between London and the West Midlands. A wide range of organisation types are eligible.
- Registered charities and CICs
- Local authorities and parish councils
- Schools and educational establishments
- Sports clubs and community groups
- Social enterprises
- Must be within 5km of the HS2 route (London to West Midlands)
How to Apply
Applications are made via the dedicated Groundwork UK HS2 portal at hs2funds.org.uk. CEF Local applicants can expect a decision approximately 8 weeks after submission. CEF Strategic applications follow a two-stage process, with decisions approximately 16 weeks after each stage.
- Deadline: Rolling — open throughout the HS2 construction period
- Decisions: ~8 weeks (Local) / ~16 weeks per stage (Strategic)
- Contact: hs2funds@groundwork.org.uk or 0121 237 5880
