Southend-on-Sea City Council is excited to launch the Big Sparks Fund as part of our Civic Pride drive.
This is a new project giving local people the chance to get funding for ideas that improve their community.
The fund, delivered in partnership with SAVS, offers one-off grants to residents, businesses, charities, and community groups across Southend-on-Sea.
Each of the city's four localities will have £20,000 available, with up to £1,000 for resident-led projects and up to £5,000 for organisations.
The first Big Sparks event will take place on Saturday 10 May at Shoebury Youth Centre in the East Locality, covering Shoeburyness, West Shoebury, Thorpe Bay and a section of Southchurch.
Residents, businesses and community groups can submit project ideas on Your Say Southend to help make their neighbourhoods safer, happier or healthier.
Big Sparks will roll out in East Central next, followed by West Central and West. Community hosts will be on hand at events to help with applications and offer support.
Once ideas are submitted, local people can vote for their favourites online and at Big Vote events in each area. Only people living or working in that locality will be able to vote.
Cllr Paul Collins, cabinet member for finance, assets, and investments, said: "Big Sparks aims to champion local people who know their streets, parks and neighbourhoods best, turning good ideas into real action for their community.
"We're investing in people who care, giving them the tools to shape the city they love, whether it's starting a community garden, setting up a youth project, hosting wellbeing sessions or creating safer spaces.
"Civic pride is at the heart of everything we do, and I encourage everyone to get involved in this initiative to make a real difference."
To learn more about Big Sparks, including how to apply, key dates, and guidance documents, visit Your Say Southend.