Durham Community Action is celebrating receiving a share of a further £1.5 million in funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, securing the next two years of the pioneering Community Spaces Partnership.
The funding, which follows a successful pilot programme, will continue to support village halls and community spaces across rural County Durham, Northumberland and Cumbria. Delivered in collaboration with Community Action Northumberland (CAN) and Action with Communities in Cumbria (ACT).
The partnership has become a national model for how place-based working, grassroots knowledge and expert guidance can future-proof the heart of rural communities.
Originally launched in 2023, the Community Spaces Partnership invested in sustainable building upgrades, governance support, and wraparound advice for over 150 community-run buildings. Many now boast new heating systems, insulation, energy-saving measures and even solar panels - improvements that have halved energy bills and supported volunteer leaders to transform vital community spaces into warm, welcoming hubs of activity.
Kate Burrows, Chief Executive of Durham Community Action said:
“We are delighted to continue our collaboration with The National Lottery Community Fund through the Community Spaces partnership. Volunteers and trustees running community buildings will continue to benefit from high quality support to become greener and more sustainable, enriching the places that local communities value.”
The model, described as “personable” and “painless” by community volunteers, was a breath of fresh air compared to traditional funding routes. Halls worked directly with Development Officers from the three partner organisations, receiving hands-on support from the first conversation to final delivery. Interviewees reported that they had appreciated “pitching to a person”, rather than completing lengthy application forms, because they felt that they were better able to convey their passion for their project and “why it is needed”.
A trustee from a community space in County Durham said:
"There was no complex funding application to make so the procedure was more straightforward than with some funding applications - Durham Community Action helped us all the way…. The National Lottery grant was helpful in achieving further funding from other possible funders towards the overall cost. We now possess an environmentally friendly, highly efficient, computer-controlled heating system, making the Community Centre sustainable."
An evaluation, led by the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE), showed that the programme didn’t just deliver physical improvements - it built capacity, confidence and community spirit. Many halls have already gone on to secure extra funding, host new services, and run greener, more inclusive spaces. Young people, older residents, local businesses, and volunteer trustees have all benefited.
Read NICRE'S evaluation of the Community Spaces partnership here
This new funding will support an evolving network of community spaces, helping them navigate energy challenges, grow resilience, and share learning across the North and beyond.
The news was celebrated at an event at Allendale Village Hall, attended by representatives from the National Lottery Community Fund, including their Chair, Dame Julia Cleverdon DCVO CBE, and John Mothersole, England Committee Chair, along with partners in the project from the 3 areas.
Dame Julia said:
“Village halls and community spaces are more than just buildings - they are the beating heart of rural life, and I'm delighted that National Lottery players are making this vital work possible across Northumberland, Cumbria and County Durham.
It’s inspiring to hear what's already been achieved and by investing a further £1.5million into their future through sustainable upgrades and capacity building, we're not only helping communities reduce their carbon footprint and tackle rising energy costs, but creating spaces where people of all generations can connect, combat isolation and build stronger, more resilient communities.
The National Lottery Community Fund is committed to supporting environmentally sustainable solutions that bring lasting benefits, and this collaboration exemplifies what can be achieved when partners come together with shared purpose and vision; by sharing their learning has implications for the rest of the sector, and indeed the rest of the country.”
Case Study
Framwellgate Moor Youth and Community Association (FMYCA) has had a consistent focus on reducing the environmental impact of the building and its carbon footprint.
With support from Durham Community Action (DCA), and with funding from the Community Spaces Project the trustees were able to take key steps toward improving the energy efficiency and sustainability of the hall by installing a new heating system. These improvements have reduced fuel costs, enhancing financial sustainability, and increasing the building’s capacity to support the local community.
The trustees of FMYCA are now planning the next phase of development, including improving the old schoolmaster’s building on the site to make it more energy efficient and suitable for extended use.
DCA is inviting community spaces in County Durham that are interested in making capital improvements to make their buildings more energy efficient to complete a short expression of interest by Tuesday 27th May.
Selected applicants will be invited to meet representatives from The National Lottery Community Fund in person on Thursday 5th June to discuss their projects in more detail.
