Community groups across Kirklees are set to bring a wide range of creative and cultural projects to life after securing funding through the Our Cultural Heart Fund.
We’ve worked in partnership with One Community and BAM Construction to deliver the fund, supporting local organisations to create projects that celebrate culture, heritage and wellbeing across our communities.
Huge response from across Kirklees
The response to the fund was incredible.
We received 85 applications requesting more than £1.3 million, far exceeding the funding available of just under £280,000.
Following a competitive process, 22 projects have been supported, with 14 receiving full funding and 8 receiving partial awards.
Where the funding is going
The fund was delivered across two funding streams:
- Up to £10,000 grants: 9 projects supported, with £58,466 awarded.
- £10,000–£25,000 grants: 13 projects supported, with £220,884.10 awarded.
In total, we’ve invested £279,350.10 into community-led projects across Kirklees.
What the projects will deliver
The funded projects reflect the creativity and diversity of our communities.
They include everything from transforming unused spaces into community gardens, to delivering arts festivals, school-based programmes and activities for young children and families.
There will also be community events like carnivals, exhibitions, shared meals and creative workshops, alongside opportunities to take part in music, dance and performance.
Some projects focus on developing new skills, including broadcasting, sustainable fashion and creative production, helping people build confidence and explore new opportunities.
Others will explore local identity and heritage through storytelling, visual arts and oral history, making sure a wide range of voices and experiences are heard.
Together, these projects will engage thousands of people across Kirklees, creating opportunities to connect, take part and celebrate the places they live.
Investing in people and place
David Shepherd, our Executive Director for Place, said:
“The response to the Our Cultural Heart Fund has been exceptional and clearly demonstrates both the scale of demand and the strength of creativity within our communities.
“This fund is about investing in people as much as place, supporting projects that bring communities together, celebrate local identity and create opportunities for more people to take part in cultural activity across Kirklees.
“While we were not able to support every application, the projects receiving funding represent a strong and diverse programme that will deliver real impact, from improving wellbeing and tackling isolation to creating new opportunities for skills development and participation.
“Our Cultural Heart is a key part of our wider vision to create a more vibrant, inclusive and connected Kirklees, and this fund is an important step in making sure that investment is felt in communities right across the district.”
Hayley Austin, Chief Executive of One Community, added:
“One Community is delighted to have worked in partnership with Kirklees Council and BAM Construction to deliver the Our Cultural Heart Fund, supporting a diverse range of creative and cultural projects across Kirklees.
“The level of interest in this fund was exceptional, with demand significantly exceeding the available budget, which made the decision-making process highly competitive. While it was not possible to fund every application, the quality, ambition, and community focus of the proposals submitted was outstanding.
“We are proud to see investment going into projects that will strengthen community connections, celebrate local culture and heritage, and improve wellbeing across Kirklees. We look forward to seeing the positive impact these projects will deliver over the coming months.”
What happens next
Because of the high level of demand, the full funding has been allocated in this first round. This means there won’t be a second round of the fund in 2026.
We’re planning further rounds of funding in the future and will share more details when these are confirmed.
About Our Cultural Heart
The fund takes its name from Our Cultural Heart, our major regeneration project transforming the Queensgate area of Huddersfield town centre into a vibrant destination for culture, creativity and community.