New grants of between £20,000 and £50,000 potentially available for Harrogate area's brilliant community groups

Harrogate has been praised for being “full of people doing brilliant work to connect people across our community” as the town’s MP urges local groups not to miss out on new government grants worth at least £20,000 each.

Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, is calling on local community groups to apply for the Government's new Common Ground Award before the deadline on October 12.

The fund supports voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations to invest in the buildings, spaces and equipment that bring people from different backgrounds together.

Individual organisations can apply for grants of between £20,000 and £50,000.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Tom Gordon with Coun Philip Broadbank, who represents the Fairfax and Starbeck division of North Yorkshire County Council, and Harrogate Deputy Mayor Chrissie Holmes. (Picture contributed)

The MP has already contacted Harrogate and Knaresborough town councils, as well as other community organisations, to help make sure they apply for the Common Ground Award in time.

"Our community groups do incredible work bringing people together but, too often, they're held back by the spaces and equipment they have to work with,” said Mr Gordon.

"This fund could make a real difference here.”

Mr Gordon believes it is well worth taking part in the Government's Common Ground Award which has as much £2.5 million capital funding available in the 2026/27 financial year.

"I've seen first-hand what the right grant can do for a local group, and I don't want Harrogate and Knaresborough to miss out,” said Mr Gordon.

"I'd urge any group that thinks it might be eligible to look at this now, and to get in touch with my office if they'd like support."

Run by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, in exceptional cases, individual applications may be considered up to £100,000.

Another Lib Dem voice urging community groups to apply is Harrogate Deputy Mayor Chrissie Holmes, who is a councillor on Harrogate Town Council.

"Our local area is full of groups doing brilliant work to connect people across our community,” she said.

"This fund is a real chance to give them the facilities they need to go further.

"I'm glad to be working with Tom Gordon to spread the word and I'd encourage every eligible group to apply."