Overview
Hartlepool has been successful in securing up to £20 million over the next ten years (April 2026 to March 2036) through the Government’s Pride in Place Programme.
This long-term investment presents a significant opportunity for the community to address their local priorities and create lasting, positive change for residents. The funding will be split with 75% for capital projects and 25% revenue projects, with the investment starting from April 2026.
Pride in Place will deliver on what matters most to local people, focusing on three strategic objectives of the programme:
- to build stronger communities - bring people together to create strong, resilient communities, and help people to feel proud and safe in their neighbourhood
- to create thriving places - build vibrant neighbourhoods with busy high streets, a good range of local amenities and high-quality physical infrastructure
- to empower people to take back control - create opportunities to enable people to have a say over their community and feel in control of their lives
Open call for proposals
The Hartlepool Board has launched the first open call for proposals through the Pride in Place Programme.
Up to £200,000 of capital funding is available, and applications are welcomed from organisations that can demonstrate a clear community benefit within Hartlepool.
Applications must align with one of the following priorities:
- priority 1 – Activating Parks, Public Spaces and Beaches
- priority 2 – Community Assets & Neighbourhood Spaces
Priority will be given to projects that deliver clear benefits to communities experiencing the greatest levels of need in Hartlepool.
The application deadline is Monday 30 November 2026 at 5pm.
Hartlepool Opportunities Partnership (HOP) has been commissioned by the Board to support to organisations and groups developing proposals. To access help, contact HOP at myprideinplace@hopvcse.org.uk.
Community ideas
Not every project starts as a funding application. If you have an idea that could improve your neighbourhood, strengthen your community, celebrate Hartlepool's heritage, or enhance a place that matters to you, we would like to hear from you.
Community Ideas will help inform future investment opportunities, feasibility studies and future funding rounds through the Pride in Place Programme. This will ensure that local people continue to influence priorities and investment across Hartlepool.
Hartlepool Board
At the centre of Pride in Place is the Hartlepool Board which brings together local residents, businesses, key strategic partners, and other representatives with a strong connection to the borough.
The Board meets monthly and is independently chaired by Malcolm Walker. It is responsible for overseeing the investment and ensuring the views of local people are used to shape how the funding is spent within Hartlepool.
Regeneration Plan
Hartlepool’s Pride in Place Regeneration Plan and Investment Plan were finalised in November 2025 and formally approved by Government in April 2026.
The Regeneration Plan sets out a vision for the borough and the priorities for the funding whilst the 4-year Investment Plan (April 2026 – March 2030) outlines the key interventions for the first period of the Pride in Place.
The plans were shaped through an extensive period of engagement with local people and communities including surveys, workshops, insights from other consultations, and conversations with over 1,400 residents.