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Over £300,000 in grants funding available to improve the lives of residents in South Oxfordshire 

Published 18 May 2026

The latest round of community grants funding will open soon to help improve the lives of South Oxfordshire residents. Over £300,000 is available for projects like playgrounds, community cafes and energy efficiency improvements to community buildings. 

On Tuesday 26 May the South Oxfordshire District Council Capital Grant Scheme will open to community groups and voluntary organisations in the district with a total budget of £320,000 to be awarded. 

This funding is available for capital projects that take place in the district or within a three-mile radius of the district boundary. Applicants can request grants of a minimum of £5,000 and a maximum of £75,000 but no more than 50 per cent of the total project cost.  

Cllr Georgina Heritage, Cabinet Member for Communities at South Oxfordshire District Council said: “Our Capital Grant Scheme helps organisations fund large projects they may not otherwise be able to finance themselves.  

“It’s been great to see the results of the funding from previous rounds come to life and benefitting our communities. We encourage voluntary groups and town and parish councils across the South Oxfordshire to apply for this latest round of funding to help projects where you live in the district.” 

In a previous round of funding Long Wittenham Parish Council was awarded £42,947 for a new children’s playground in the village, which they have now completed. 

Cllr Dr Peter Rose from the Parish Council said: “With this funding we have been able to provide a new playground for our village. It’s already being well used with good feedback and is attracting families from neighbouring villages too. It also provides a new social focus for families too.” 

To be successful the applications need to show how the project will help improve the quality of life for people in South Oxfordshire through projects that; support thriving, healthy and inclusive communities, provide infrastructure that meets local need, that take action on climate change and nature recovery, and improve participation, accessibility and accountability.   

The deadline for applications is midday Monday 20 July. 

More details can be found on the council’s website southoxon.gov.uk/grants and any organisations needing help with their application can contact the Community Enablement Team – grants@southandvale.gov.uk 

Ends 

The 2025/26 round of the Capital Grant Scheme funded ten projects with a total of £320,000 awarded by the council. 

The projects that were awarded funding in the last round were: 

  • Anne Carpmael Trust CIO – £16,252 Boardwalk project (southern route) 
  • Warborough & Shillingford Parish Council – £75,000 Village Hall refurbishment 
  • The Forge (Binfield Health) – £38,000 The Forge refurbishment and conversion 
  • Abingdon Rugby Club – £20,315 Female changing room project 
  • Holton Village Hall – £7,142 HVH solar energy system 
  • Watlington Sports Club – £3,523 Replacement windows and doors 
  • Kenton Theatre Management Society Ltd – £20,315 Stage lighting upgrade 
  • The Berin Centre – £75,000 Sustainability and access at The Berin Centre 
  • Earth Trust – £14,453 New bicycle shelters with e-bike charging 
  • Wheatley Parish Council – £50,000 Church Road recreation ground refurbishment