Ryde Neighbourhood Board is inviting local organisations, businesses and partnerships to put forward ambitious plans that could help shape the town’s future with up to £300,000 available through a new Major Grants Programme.
Launched as part of Ryde’s wider Pride in Place initiative and with an initial pot of up to £300,000 available, the pilot programme is offering an opportunity for larger-scale projects that can deliver clear, lasting benefits for local people and help make Ryde an even better place in which to live, work and visit.
Grants of more than £20,000 and up to £300,000, are available with the Board keen to hear from organisations and partnerships about bold, practical ideas that will make a visible difference to the town.
Projects must support the Board’s 10-year Vision for Ryde and respond to priorities identified through conversations with residents, businesses, community organisations and local leaders.
For 2026 to 2030, the Major Grants Programme will focus on five priority themes:
- High Streets,
- Regeneration and Heritage,
- Skills and Education,
- Health and Wellbeing
- Safety and Security.
The Board is particularly interested in projects that bring people together, create new opportunities, strengthen the local economy and community and deliver tangible improvements across Ryde.
Rachael Randall, acting chair of Ryde Neighbourhood Board said: “This is an exciting opportunity to unlock bigger plans for Ryde.
“We know from our small grants programme, launched earlier this year, that there are so many good ideas and such great community energy. We are really looking forward to seeing how that energy can translate into some exciting larger-scale projects.”
As the programme involves public money, applicants will need to demonstrate that their proposals are well planned and deliverable, including clear costs, timescales and evidence of local community support.
Applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest where advice and guidance will be available. The deadline for this is midnight on Friday 16 October 2026.
Organisations whose proposals are invited to progress will then be asked to submit a full application. The deadline for the full applications is midnight on Friday 15 January 2027.
Successful applicants due to be notified of decisions by Friday 26 March 2027, once decisions have been ratified at the Board’s meeting on 19 March 2027.
The programme can support a wide range of costs, including volunteer expenses, training, new staff posts, capital works, conservation, professional fees, events, organisational development and acquisition costs.
Applications are welcomed from not-for-profit organisations, commercial enterprises and partnerships, including charities, community groups, community interest companies, faith-based organisations, public bodies and SMEs.
The Major Grants Pilot Programme will be administered by the Isle of Wight Council on behalf of Ryde Neighbourhood Board.
Further details are available on the Ryde Neighbourhood Board website and Expression of Interest Forms can be downloaded from the webpage www.rydeneighbourhoodboard.org.uk/apply-grant/ or by emailing rydeneighbourhoodboard@iow.gov.uk or calling 01983 823841.
