Knight Dragon invests £1.9million into the local community

Knight Dragon, the developer behind one of Europe’s largest regeneration projects, has launched a community fund worth £1.9million to support the growing community of Greenwich Peninsula as the area develops. Greenwich Peninsula will be home to over 17,000 new homes, 13,000 new jobs and 48 acres of open public space emerging over the coming years, as well as the first permanent home for the creative industries. The fund is in addition to the £25 million of social value already delivered on-site over the past four years.
The £1.9 million pledge from Knight Dragon is part of a wider commitment to build a more sustainable community at Greenwich Peninsula, prioritising employment, increased opportunities for social integration, active participation and volunteering training and skills, clean air, and crime reduction. The Fund will support community projects directly delivered within the Greenwich Peninsula ward boundary.
Richard Margree, CEO at Knight Dragon, said: “Developing a new place from scratch, at this scale, is a unique opportunity and one we do not take for granted. Our commitment to delivering a genuine and sustainable community at Greenwich Peninsula has seen us invest in many spaces, initiatives
and projects over the last 10 years, and the launch of the Greenwich Peninsula
Community Fund is a fundamental milestone in the development of this fantastic place”.
Knight Dragon have partnered with The London Community Foundation to maximise the reach of the fund and increase its capacity. London Community Foundation will connect the Greenwich Peninsula Community Fund with funding partners, channel funding to the selected organisations, and local organisations, advocating for their vital role in bringing the community together.
Kate Markey, CEO of The London Community Foundation, said: “The Greenwich Peninsula Community Fund will support the development of a strong and resilient community in the area through the provision of vital funding. It’s a game-changing initiative, helping to bridge the funding gap and provide much-needed financial support. We’re proud to collaborate with Knight Dragon to deliver this annual fund of £100,000, with a commitment to invest 1.9 million over the next decade. We believe that when businesses contribute to their local community, everyone benefits, and London is an ideal place for businesses to impact the lives of Londoners positively”.
Projects will be required to demonstrate social value through the following 7 main themes, with key focuses on health & wellbeing, employment, and the environment:
1. Improved access to employment and training opportunities across the Peninsula.
2. Active participation in the society (civic engagement) and improvement in life skills
3. Delivering inclusive health and wellbeing programmes
4. Positive impact on the local environment, air pollution is reduced, safeguarding the natural
environment, resource efficiency and circular economy solutions.
5. Projects that create a more resilient community by demonstrating that crime is reduced, or
vulnerable people are helped to live independently.
6. Increased opportunities for disadvantaged people and those most vulnerable in the
community
7. Innovative projects that have a positive social, economic, and environmental impact on the
community.
The first year of this fund will have a total of £100,000 available to award, with a maximum individual grant size of £20,000 per year. There is no income threshold for this fund, but groups with an income under £1m will be prioritised. The Greenwich Peninsula Community Fund will be open to VCSE sector organisations.
To find out more about how to apply for the funding including eligibility, please visit: London Community Foundation | Greenwich Peninsula Community Fund (londoncf.org.uk).