Community and business funding
Starting in 2017, HS2 created the Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and the Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) to aid community groups and business partnerships impacted by the construction of Phase One (London to Birmingham) and Phase 2a (Birmingham to Crewe) of the HS2 project. Community charity Groundwork UK independently administer the funds.
£16.09m awarded since 2017
To date, we’ve awarded £16.09m of funding to 285 CEF and BLEF projects across the London to West Midlands (Phase One) and West Midlands to Crewe (Phase 2a) line of route.
The CEF & BLEF schemes will provide up to £45m of funding throughout the construction timeline of HS2, supporting community-led projects that improve the environment, such as tree planting and energy efficiency measures. The Funds also support initiatives that bring benefits to local communities, such as the provision of new community facilities or support for local heritage and culture.
Find out more about the funds available between London and the West Midlands.
How the fund is administered
HS2’s Community and Business Funds are administered by independent community charity Groundwork. CEF & BLEF funding is available to community groups and organisations for public benefit and business partnerships impacted by the construction of the London to Birmingham and Birmingham to Crewe phases of the HS2 construction project.
You can find the most up-to-date public information on HS2 Community & Environment (CEF) and Business & Local Economy (BLEF) supported projects along the Phase One and Phase 2a lines of the route via the HS2 Funds map.
The funds
Two Funds are available to local communities and businesses to help with the disruption that will be caused by the construction of HS2 between London and the West Midlands; the Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and the Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF).
Environmental projects funded will go towards realising HS2’s Green Corridor ambition.