Community news
People Powered Places: funding applications open
The Royal Docks Team is delighted to announce its continued support for the next cycle of Newham’s People Powered Places programme (2025–2027).
People Powered Places is Newham’s participatory budgeting initiative, giving local people a direct say in how funding is invested in their communities. In 2023 the Royal Docks Team joined forces with Newham to amplify funding opportunities for grass roots initiatives in the Royal Docks.
We are investing £80,000 again this cycle to support projects that address priorities set by residents in the Royal Docks, Beckton, Canning Town, and Custom House neighbourhoods. This funding is in addition to Newham Council’s £200,000 allocation for each community neighbourhood area.
By supporting this next round, we aim to champion local voices, empower neighbourhoods, and help bring forward projects that will make a meaningful and lasting impact across the Royal Docks.
New for the 2025/27 funding cycle!
- Each neighbourhood will allocate 25% of its funding to youth-led projects and 25% to resident-led projects – that’s £120,000 for each category across both neighbourhoods!
- A Youth Advisory Board will ensure children and young people feel empowered to make decisions about where they live.
- To ensure applications are accessible you can now apply for funding online, via video or audio applications, as well as in writing.
Apply now: applications are open until 14 September 2025
This is your opportunity to transform your community idea into reality. Funding is open to anyone who lives, works, or studies in Newham.
Whether you're a resident, a student or work locally, your voice matters!
- Resident-led projects can apply for up to £5,000
- Youth-led projects can apply for up to £10,000
- Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector-led projects can apply for up to £20,000
You can apply for funding online, via video or audio applications or paper applications.
Neighbourhood priorities: Beckton & Royal Docks
Your project idea must align with priorities chosen by your neighbours (317 people), which are:
- Health & Wellbeing
- Community Development & Participation
- Community Safety.
Contact details:
Beckton and Royal Docks Community Neighbourhood Team
Tel: 020 3373 0853
Email: CN.BecktonRoyalDocks@newham.gov.uk
Address: Beckton Library,1 Kingsford Way, Beckton, E6 5JQ
Neighbourhood priorities: Custom House and Canning Town
Your project idea must align with the priorities chosen by 370 of your neighbours, which are:
- Youth Empowerment
- Health & Wellbeing
- Community Safety
Contact details:
Custom House and Canning Town Community Neighbourhood Team
Tel: 020 3373 0854
Email: CN.CustomHouseCanningTown@newham.gov.uk
Canning Town Library 18 Rathbone Market, Barking Road, E16 1EH
Custom House Library Prince Regent Lane, E16 3JJ
Key dates:
- July-September 2025: Apply for funding to bring your ideas to life
- November 2025: Vote for your top ten projects that will make a difference to your neighbourhood
- March 2026-February 2027: Deliver your project to improve your local area
- March 2027: Celebrate your achievements and the changes you’ve made to your neighbourhood
For more information and updates, visit the Newham Co-create project page.
