Pride in Place Programme
What is Pride in Place
The Pride in Place Programme is a 10-year neighbourhood investment initiative supported by the Local Authority and Member of Parliament that will empower local people to shape the future of their neighbourhood and transform their community. Each selected neighbourhood will receive up to £20 million over 10 years.
The Pride in Place Programme is designed to be:
Community-led
Neighbourhood Boards made up of local people will develop Pride in Place Neighbourhood Plans, together with the local community.
Flexible
Neighbourhood Boards can choose what to invest in and when.
Long-term
The Pride in Place Programme provides funding over 10 years.
Supportive
The Pride in Place Programme is a partnership between the Local Authority, local Member of Parliament and Neighbourhood Board.
Programme objectives
Stronger communities
Build stronger communities by supporting local services, cultural assets, and social infrastructure.
Thriving places
The programme aims to create vibrant, resilient neighbourhoods where people feel genuine pride in their local environment. This includes revitalising high streets, enhancing public spaces, and ensuring public services are accessible, responsive, and shaped around local need. By investing in opportunities for young people and prioritising preventative approaches, PiPP seeks to ease long term pressure on public services and build the foundations for future prosperity.
Taking back control
Empowering local people by giving residents a greater role in shaping decisions that affect their lives and a direct say in how funding is spent, through Neighbourhood Boards that lead decision making.
How does Pride in Place work
The Pride in Place programme provides up to £20 million over 10 years to selected areas for community-led regeneration. It focuses on improving high streets, public spaces, and community facilities, including projects like renovating parks, restoring derelict buildings, improving local services, supporting arts/culture, and empowering communities to take control of local assets.
Key uses of Pride in Place funding
Regeneration and infrastructure
Investing in high streets, improving public spaces, and transforming derelict buildings (e.g., empty pubs or shops) into useful community spaces.
Community assets and facilities
Enhancing local community centres and providing funding for community-led projects.
Cultural and green spaces
Investing in local arts, culture, heritage projects, and improving parks.
Community empowerment
Supporting local councils and organisations to run projects, often with a "Community Right to Buy" for local assets.
Small grants
In some areas, smaller grants (e.g., up to £5,000) are available for local non-profit groups to make visible neighbourhood improvements
Who decides where the funding goes?
The core of Pride in Place decision-making is the Neighbourhood Board, which brings together:
- local residents
- Councils
- MPs
- businesses
- community groups
Neighbourhood Boards will engage with the local community to understand priorities and needs, and based on this engagement, they will create a long-term Neighbourhood Plan that has the flexibility to meet local priorities.
Pride in Place neighbourhood in Neath Port Talbot
The Upper Afan Valley is the selected Pride in Place Neighbourhood in Neath Port Talbot.
This includes:
- Cynonville
- Duffryn Rhondda
- Abercregan
- Cymmer
- Croeserw
- Glyncorrwg
- Abergwynfi
- Blaengwynfi
Neighbourhood Board and Chairperson
To deliver the Pride in Place Programme, Neighbourhood Boards are being set up in every funded neighbourhood across Wales and the UK.
The Board will be responsible for developing a Neighbourhood Plan for the area by November 2026, setting out a 10-year vision and an initial 4-year investment plan, outlining priorities for driving positive change.
Neighbourhood Boards can choose what to invest in and when. The Programme has been designed so that communities can make ambitious plans for the future, rather than waiting for money to arrive before considering how to spend it.
Each Board will be led by an independent Chairperson - someone who can bring communities together to share their ideas in an open and collaborative way.
The Chairperson will provide strategic leadership, effective governance, transparency and accountability and will support collaboration between stakeholders, ensuring that the programme remains focused on its goals and is accountable to the community it serves.
More information on the Chairperson, including how to apply.
The Chairperson will lead the process of recruiting and convening the Neighbourhood Board, with the support of the Local Authority and Member of Parliament.
Pride in Place Neighbourhood Plans
Once established, Neighbourhood Boards will co-create a Pride in Place Neighbourhood Plan in collaboration with the wider community, supported by the Local Authority and MP.
The Plan will outline the community vision for change over the next 10 years.
Key aspects of Pride in Place Neighbourhood Plans
Funding and duration
The initiative provides long-term, 10-year investment aimed at tackling "double disadvantage" (high deprivation and weak social infrastructure).
Community-led Boards
Decisions are made by local Neighbourhood Boards comprising residents, local businesses, voluntary groups, and councillors, ensuring they have the power to decide how money is spent.
Focus areas
The funding is used to improve public spaces, support local businesses, reduce crime, improve community cohesion, and revive high streets.
Expansion
Following initial pilots, the programme has been expanded, with recent announcements (Feb 2026) adding 40 new areas to the initiative.
Integration with existing plans
The strategy builds upon previous initiatives, incorporating the "Plan for Neighbourhoods" and "Long-Term Plan for Towns" to create a cohesive, long-term approach to community rejuvenation.
Neighbourhood Boards must carry out extensive engagement with the community to ensure all voices are heard.
Timelines
- 1st June 2026 - Chair to be appointed
- 17th July 2026 - Neighbourhood Boards to confirm finalised membership
- 20th November 2026 - Neighbourhood Boards to submit Pride in Place Neighbourhood Plans to UK Government for assessment and approval
Contact
For enquiries please email: place@npt.gov.uk
Key documents
The agenda and minutes of Neighbourhood Board meetings will be published here.
