Key Points
- Hackney Council has announced grants totalling £650,000 for 10 innovative projects through the second round of the Hackney Community Fund.
- The fund is raised from the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL), a charge on new developments securing planning permission.
- Projects focus on youth development, environmental action, mental health support, reducing social isolation, arts, culture, food, wellbeing, biodiversity, theatre, skating, food insecurity, climate action, creative inclusion, and intergenerational music.
- Funded organisations include Ministry of Stories, EcoACTIVE, Hackney School of Food, Laburnum Boat Club, Hackney Shed, Millfields Park Users’ Group, The Peter Bedford Housing Association, Made in Hackney, Core Arts, and Intergenerational Music Making.
- Specific initiatives: Ministry of Stories expanding Community Writing Lab in Hoxton for 200 young people aged 6-18; EcoACTIVE’s “Connecting Nature, Connecting People” across six sites; Hackney School of Food’s “Together at the Table” for 2,250 residents.
- Laburnum Boat Club providing canal access for mental health and low-income adults; Hackney Shed’s inclusive theatre for 7-16 year-olds with/without SEND; Millfields Park Users’ Group creating skate space.
- The Peter Bedford Housing Association’s Kingsland “Lifeline” Hub for 150+ households; Made in Hackney’s “Stronger Communities for Climate Action”; Core Arts’ “Creative Inclusion” for 150 NHS-referred adults 50+; Intergenerational Music Making’s four hubs.
- This follows the first round in 2022 with £500,000 for nine projects, including Core Arts community garden in Homerton, Immediate Theatre’s permanent home, and African/African-Caribbean heritage celebrations at Dalston CLR James Library.
- Funding awarded based on deliverability, community support, value for money, and long-term impact.
- Councillor Guy Nicholson praised the fund for investing developer contributions back into communities, building on first round successes, and promised a third round.
Hackney (East London Times) February 17, 2026 – Hackney Council has approved £650,000 in grants for 10 diverse projects aimed at supporting local communities through arts, culture, and environmental initiatives via the second round of the Hackney Community Fund.
The funding, sourced from the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) charged on new developments upon planning permission, targets local charities, voluntary groups, community interest companies, and social enterprises. Projects emphasise bringing people together and delivering lasting benefits, covering youth mentoring, nature recovery, mental health, food security, and more.
What Projects Have Received Funding?
As detailed in the official announcement from Hackney Council’s news site, the 10 recipients include Ministry of Stories, which is expanding its free weekly Community Writing Lab in Hoxton to mentor up to 200 young people annually, now extending the age range to 6-18.
EcoACTIVE is launching “Connecting Nature, Connecting People,” a nature recovery programme training residents and improving biodiversity across six sites. Hackney School of Food will deliver “Together at the Table,” a multi-generational programme using cooking, gardening, and shared meals to support around 2,250 residents.
Laburnum Boat Club gains support to provide canal access for adults facing mental health challenges and those on low incomes, including a weekly mental health club and free canoe places. Hackney Shed receives funding for weekly inclusive theatre workshops for young people aged 7-16, with and without Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), leading to an annual production.
Millfields Park Users’ Group is creating an inclusive, community-led skate space in South Millfields Park for all ages and abilities. The Peter Bedford Housing Association is establishing the Kingsland “Lifeline” Hub, a choice-based pantry addressing food insecurity and social isolation, linking over 150 households to essential support services.
Made in Hackney is implementing “Stronger Communities for Climate Action,” a year-long project uniting residents through food, sustainability, and collective climate action. Core Arts will support 150 NHS-referred adults aged 50+ with severe mental health needs via the “Creative Inclusion” project, offering creative education in arts, music, gardening, and sports.
Intergenerational Music Making is setting up four intergenerational hubs across Hackney to tackle loneliness and promote social cohesion through music and creative health.
How Is the Hackney Community Fund Financed?
The Hackney Community Fund draws from the NCIL, a levy imposed on developers when they secure planning permission for new buildings. This mechanism ensures that growth in the borough benefits residents directly, as stated in the council’s announcement.
As reported by Hackney Council, this second round allocates £650,000, surpassing the £500,000 of the inaugural 2022 round, demonstrating sustained commitment amid financial pressures.
What Was Funded in the First Round?
The first round in 2022 supported nine projects totalling £500,000, including Core Arts and St Barnabas Community Garden by Core Arts (£95,000), redeveloping land behind St Barnabas Church in Homerton for mental health support.
Other winners were The Common Rooms by Clapton Commons Community Organisation (£71,740) for a multi-use hub in Stamford Hill; a permanent home for Immediate Theatre (£83,000); Hackney Showroom Roadshow by New Future Collective (£60,000); The Good Place Pantry by the Boiler House (£90,000); A Living Legacy by Hackney Archives (£6,279) celebrating African and African-Caribbean heritage at Dalston CLR James Library; Windrush Art Commission by Create London (£25,000); Hackney Empire Entry for All (£45,000) for 4,000 free tickets; and Yardlings at Trowbridge by the Yard Theatre (£30,000).
These initiatives, as per Hackney Council’s 2022 release, focused on culture, mental health, and community hubs, setting a precedent for the current round.
What Criteria Were Used for Awarding Grants?
Funding decisions hinged on deliverability, community support, value for money, and long-term impact, according to Hackney Council’s guidelines. This mirrors the approach in prior rounds, ensuring robust projects.
Eligible applicants were Hackney-based charities, social enterprises, voluntary groups, CICs, and companies limited by guarantee with non-commercial, Hackney-centric projects.
What Did Councillor Guy Nicholson Say?
Councillor Guy Nicholson, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, said:
“The Hackney Community Fund channels money raised from developers building in the borough and is for investing back into the community. This second round of the fund is investing £650,000 into 10 arts and culture-led activities that bring residents together, create profound opportunities and build relationships.”
He added:
“This second round builds on the success of the first round of the Hackney Community Fund, which supported a range of inspirational projects that have made a profound, positive and lasting difference to the lives of many residents from across the borough. Thanks to all who submitted an application proposing a project but to all those who on this occasion did not succeed the Council is determined to release a round three of the Fund and when it does it will be promoted.”
Nicholson continued:
“The Hackney Community Fund has been formed by using cash payments paid by developers through the planning system. The Fund provides the opportunity for residents and local organisations to work together to build strong communities and make sure that the benefit of new development in the borough is felt by everyone and that a growing Hackney always puts local residents first.”
How Does This Fit into Broader Council Efforts?
Earlier coverage by North East Londoner on a related 2025 funding call highlighted the fund’s growth, noting £150,000 more available than in 2022, with Cllr Joe Walker stating:
“Hackney’s greatest strength lies in its diverse communities and the organisations which support them. I am delighted that the council is able to continue to find ways to offer much-needed financial support, even in challenging times.”
The council’s July 2025 announcement opened applications until October 6, emphasising partnerships with the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS). Core Arts’ past success, as quoted by project director Nemone Mercer in North East Londoner:
“The structure has been an absolute game changer,”
This fund complements other initiatives like Cultural Hackney grants for diversity and heritage. With around 130 applications received for this round, as noted in social media updates, demand remains high.
