Place Deepening

The document below provides background information and guidance concerning the application process.

Click here to view and download the guidance document.

The diagram below provides a illustrative overview of the delivery structure, themes and objectives.

Applications are invited to be the LSP (Local System Partner) for each area. The Place Deepening Delivery Areas are as follows (see map below also):

North LAP

• Kingstanding
• Perry Common
• Stockland Green
• Castle Vale
• Graveley Hill
• Pype Hayes

Central LAP

• Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath East
• Balsall Heath West
• Sparkhill

East LAP (North)

• Alum Rock
• Ward End
• Bromford & Hodge Hill
• Glebe Farm and Tile Cross
• Shard End

East LAP (South)

• Small Heath
• Yardley West and Stechford
• Heartlands
• Garretts Green
• Tyseley & Hay Mills
• Acocks Green

 West LAP (North)

• Holyhead
• Handsworth
• Birchfield
• Lozells
• Aston

West LAP (South)

• Soho and Jewellery Quarter
• North Edgbaston
• Bordesley and Highgate
• Bordesley Green

South LAP

• Frankley Great Park
• Kings Norton South
• Bartley Green

Below is a downloadable Local System Partner application form

Click here to download the application form

Applications close on Monday 19^th October at 5:00pm

If you have any queries regarding the application process please email us at grants@sportbirmingham.org

All application forms to be sent to grants@sportbirmingham.org

Applications will be independently assessed, and successful organisations will be informed week beginning Monday 26th October 2026. Organisations that are not successful will be informed in due course.

Please note, organisations can only apply to deliver in one of the areas.  Multiple applications will not be accepted.

The Place Deepening Team will be at the Midlands Arts Centre on Wednesday 7th October, 10am – 11.30am, it’s your opportunity to find out more about the place deepening process, and an chance to network with other community organisations and anchors, over light refreshments.

Click here to book

How many Local System Partners are there and how many are you looking to appoint through this grant process?

There are seven LSP partners, and they based around the geography of the five Local Activity Partnerships (LAP), there are two LSP’s in the West and East of the city, respectively, due to the higher levels of deprivation and inactivity.

Sport England have informed Sport Birmingham that Witton Lodge and Saheli Hub have first refusal on an area of their choice, both organisations have taken up this offer and Witton Lodge will be delivering in the North and Saheli Hub in the East (North) areas. This decision is based on both organisations’ involvement in the original Local Delivery Partnerships and provides a level of continuity.

We are therefore looking for LSP’s in the following areas:

South LAP

Central LAP

East LAP (South)

West LAP (North)

West LAP (South)

Can you explain the 70% and 30% split and what happens if Sport England do not agree to honour the 30%.

The total proposed grant allocation for the seven Local Systems Partners is £1.3 million. Sport England has currently confirmed £910,000, representing 70% of the total. The remaining 30% is subject to further approval from Sport England.

As the timing of this decision has not yet been confirmed, the additional 30% has been provisionally allocated to the 2027/28 financial year. If Sport England does not approve this funding, Local Systems Partners will receive only their share of the confirmed 70% allocation. A breakdown of the confirmed funding is provided in the Background and Guidance Document.

Can an organisation submit a collaborative proposals?

We recognise that organisations applying to become a Local System Partner (LSP) may wish to collaborate with other local organisations that have established relationships, reach and experience within particular wards. These organisations may already support community groups to deliver activities or be involved in developing local activity networks.

As LAP areas cover large and diverse parts of the city, we will welcome applications that bring together organisations with complementary strengths, local knowledge and community connections. One organisation must act as the accountable body and take responsibility for the contractual arrangements, but the wider LSP role may be shared between several anchor organisations working together to provide effective and locally responsive support to Local Community Partners (LCPs).

Any costs associated with this collaborative approach must be met from the Local System Partner budget.

What is the difference between a Local System Partner and Local Community Partner?

A Local System Partner (LSP) works across the LAP geographical area, bringing organisations together, coordinating the local system and supporting Local Community Partners. Its role is to build capacity, strengthen relationships, share learning and help create the conditions for sustainable, community-led physical activity. The LSP does not directly deliver physical activity or wellbeing sessions from the Place Deepening Budget.

A Local Community Partner (LCP) is a grassroots organisation with strong local knowledge, relationships and reach within a ward or neighbourhood. Its role is to engage with children, young people and families—identify local needs and barriers, supporting and delivering community-led activity. LCPs may already deliver activities, but their Place Deepening funding is intended primarily to support their involvement, capacity and development rather than mainstream delivery.

In simple terms: the LSP connects, coordinates and builds capacity across the wider local system, while the LCP brings local-level relationships, community engagement and physical activity.

Can the funding for Local System Partners be used by them to deliver wellbeing activities?

The short answer is no. The funding for the Local System Partners is to develop the capacity of Local Community Partners, support the development of activity networks and to encourage physical and wellbeing activity at a local community level.

How does the funding for the Local Community Partners (LCP) work?

Each LSP area covers several wards, depending on its size. LSPs will be expected to work with a minimum of two Local Community Partners (LCPs) in each ward.

The funding will support LCPs to participate in the Place Deepening Programme, including providing backfill for staff time. It can also help LCPs

strengthen their organisation, contribute to local physical activity networks and collaborate with other organisations across the LSP area.

The funding is not intended to pay for ongoing or mainstream activity. However, it may support one-off engagement activities, such as a community activity day designed to encourage children, young people and families to become more physically active.

It is envisaged that payment to the LCP’s will be made via their local LSP; however, at the date the publishing the Place Deepening Opportunity (21/9/26) we are still awaiting clarification from Sport England.

How are payments made?

Payments will be made quarterly in advance, subject to the satisfactory completion of the required quarterly monitoring and evaluation returns. If your application is successful, we will agree the payment schedule and submission dates for these returns with you.

Have the figures been revised for LSP’s?

Yes

Can you confirm the amounts for each LSP area?

Can I apply for more than one area?

Organisations can only apply for one area.

What can LSP and LCP funding be used for and what is the difference?

Local Systems Partner (LSP) funding is to build the capacity of and support Local Community Partners (LCPs), rather than directly deliver activities.

LCP funding enables community organisations to participate in the Place Deepening Programme and strengthen their local impact and reach. This may include occasional activity days to attract and engage local people but should not replace funding for ongoing activity.

The aim is to strengthen LCPs’ long-term sustainability and connections with wider networks, so that the benefits continue beyond the programme.

How should we cost our proposal if only 70% of the funding is confirmed?

You could base your core delivery plan and budget on the confirmed 70% funding, clearly setting out the staffing, capacity-building work and support for Local Community Partners that this will fund. Your proposed model should be achievable within this amount.

Please also explain what you could achieve if the remaining 30% is approved, identifying the additional work, capacity or reach this would enable and the associated costs. This will help us understand both your core proposal and how it could develop with the full funding.

The additional 30% is subject to Sport England’s approval and is not guaranteed. Please do not commit to costs that depend on this funding until it has been confirmed.

Does the 70% confirmed funding and potential additional 30% also apply to Local Community Partners?

Yes. The same funding arrangements apply to Local Community Partners (LCPs). Plans and budgets for LCP support should be achievable within the confirmed 70% funding, clearly showing how this will support their engagement, capacity and local reach.

You could also explain what additional support would be possible if the remaining 30% is approved. This funding is subject to Sport England’s approval and is not guaranteed, so commitments should only be made once it is confirmed.

Can we get involved without applying to be an LSP or LCP?

Yes. We welcome organisations, including regional and national partners, whose work can complement and add value to the Active Birmingham Place Programme.

Three Community Connectors will be in post shortly to help interested organisations connect with local communities and partners, explore opportunities for collaboration and identify how they can contribute to the programme.

Can two or more organisations collaborate to fulfil the Local Systems Partner (LSP) role?

Yes. We welcome collaborative applications where organisations bring complementary strengths, local knowledge and reach across different wards or communities. Partners will need to agree how responsibilities and the available LSP budget will be shared. One organisation must act as the accountable body, taking overall responsibility for the grant agreement, management of funding, reporting and agreed outcomes.

Will we be reimbursed for the costs of preparing and submitting our application?

No. Organisations are responsible for any costs incurred in preparing and submitting their application.

Click on the link here to access the presentation slides from our recent Active Birmingham Place Partnership Drop-in at the Midlands Arts Centre.

You can contact us at grants@sportbirmingham.org if you have a query.