Lewisham Council has approved a £1.5 million package of grants for local organisations, aimed at supporting community initiatives and services across the borough.
The decision was made during a Mayor and Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, 11 February 2026. The grants are part of the council's Main Grants Programme, which will allocate a total of £1,575,746 per annum for the period of 2026 to 2029. These awards include funding for neighbourhood infrastructure projects, borough-wide capacity-building grants, and transition grants designed to support organisations adapting to a new funding model. An additional £64,438 per annum has been secured specifically for infrastructure funding.
Mayor Brenda Dacres, who chaired the meeting, highlighted the council's commitment to strong communities, fairness, and resilience. She stated that the budget is shaped by a manifesto focusing on a cleaner and greener borough, a strong local economy, decent housing, opportunities for young people, safer communities, openness and inclusion, and better health and well-being.
Councillor Sakina Sheikh, Cabinet Member for Culture, Communities and Sports, introduced the proposed allocations for the Main Grants Programme, reflecting on the extensive engagement and development work that underpinned these proposals. Comments were made welcoming the approach, including arrangements for transition funding for some organisations.
While borough-wide advice services will be commissioned separately after April 2027, the council has delegated authority to the Executive Director of Place to select preferred provider(s) for these services and finalise funding agreements. This ensures a strategic and responsive approach to community support across Lewisham.
For more details on the budget allocations, refer to the Public reports pack 11th-Feb-2026 18.00 Mayor and Cabinet.
