Grassroots Exeter projects awarded £16,740 to boost community connection and creativity

Eleven grassroots projects across Exeter have received a share of nearly £17,000 from Exeter City Council’s latest round of community grants, supporting initiatives that bring people together, boost wellbeing, and celebrate the city’s creativity and diversity.

Awarded by the Exeter Community Grants Panel, the funding provides up to £2,500 to each organisation, helping charities, community groups and social enterprises deliver projects that encourage participation, tackle inequality and strengthen neighbourhood ties.

Cllr Matthew Vizard, Lead Councillor for Communities and chair of the grants panel, said the latest round shows the “incredible variety of grassroots work happening across the city.”

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 “From creative workshops and cultural festivals to practical support services, every project helps bring people together and build stronger, fairer communities,” he said.

Among the recipients are Exeter Community Initiatives, awarded £2,500 to strengthen the city’s volunteer network, and Exeter Library’s Music Making Hub, receiving £2,492 for an inclusive music project for adults with learning disabilities.

Other beneficiaries include Café EX4, which will use its £2,000 grant to continue offering affordable meals and friendship at its donation-based café in St David’s, and Exeter Respect CIC, which also received £2,000 towards next year’s Respect Festival, Exeter’s flagship celebration of diversity and human rights.

Youth-focused charity Space Youth Services was awarded £1,748 for a music project at the 100 Club in Countess Wear, giving young people the chance to explore themes such as knife crime through songwriting and recording.

Smaller grants went to organisations including Animating Devon CIC (£1,000 for animation workshops in schools), Exeter Equine Care Trust (£1,000 to run wellbeing sessions with horses), and Positive Light Projects (£1,000 to expand access to its Community Darkroom on Sidwell Street).

Cultural events also feature strongly in this round, with Exeter Hindu Cultural Centre receiving £1,000 for the city’s Diwali 2025 celebration, and Inclusive Exeter awarded £500 for the All Souls’ Day community remembrance festival. Citizens Advice Exeter will use a £1,500 grant to deliver mobile advice roadshows for residents facing barriers to support.

Cllr Mollie Miller-Boam, Member Champion for Community Safety and Engagement, praised the “wealth of creativity and compassion” shown by local groups:  “We were blown away by the strength of applications this round,” she said. 

“These projects create opportunities for connection, inclusion and empowerment, exactly the kind of community spirit Exeter is known for.”

This is the second of three community funding rounds for 2025–26, with a total of £50,000 available this year. The next round opens on 12 December 2025.