Place Deepening
The Place Deepening Programme represents a continuing move, by Sport England and its local Active Partnerships towards seeing physical activity in terms of wellbeing, personal development, social, community and economic engagement. Over the past decade Sport England has shifted from mainly funding sport participation and activity sessions to investing in place based, community led approaches, that seek to tackle the barriers that stop people from becoming active. Funding is now increasingly focused on systems change, local leadership, and the development and support of grassroots organisations.
Sport Birmingham are recruiting five Local Systems Partners (details in drop down below). In total, there are seven Local System Partners, with two already appointed in partnership with Sport England. There will be two Local Systems Partners (LSP) in the east and west of the city, and one LSP in the north, south and central areas. The geographic boundaries are the same as the Local Activity Partnership areas, administered by Public Health. An LSP is a locally rooted well-established community organisation that plays a trusted role within its neighbourhood, bringing people, community groups and local partners together, leveraging its assets and influence for the wider good. Interested in applying? Check out the Guidance and Application dropdowns below for more information and to apply.
Further Information Topics
Background Information and Guidance Background information and details on how to complete your application
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.
Delivery Areas Details of the Birmingham Place Deepening areas
Applications are invited to be the LSP (Local Strategic 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
Application Area Application form download
Below is a downloadable Local System Partner application form
Click here to download the application form
Applications close on Monday 19th 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.
Find Out More About Place Deepening Meet the team
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
Frequently Asked Questions Further information
How many Local Systems 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.
Contact Help and support
You can contact us at grants@sportbirmingham.org if you have a query.
Place Deepening: What It’s All About and How to Apply
