Community Radio Fund awards £1 million to stations across UK

10 Feb 2026 01:47 PM

Ofcom has today announced that 47 community radio stations have successfully been awarded grants following the conclusion the Community Radio Fund, with the total amount of funding awarded reaching over £1 million. 

Community radio stations provide a voice for hundreds of local communities across the UK. Fuelled by the hard work and enthusiasm of volunteers, they reflect a diverse mix of cultures and interests and provide a rich mix of mostly locally produced content.

The Community Radio Fund is provided by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and administered by Ofcom.

It was established to support the sustainability of Ofcom licensed community radio stations, which operate on a not-for-profit basis to deliver specific social benefits to a particular geographical area or a community of interest.

In this funding round, grants were awarded to 47 community radio stations, totalling over £1 million. Grants awarded ranged from £7,500 up to £39,839, with an average of £21,368. The panel considered 115 applications, with the total amount requested over £2.9 million.

Mark Jones, Community Radio Fund Chair, said:

“The panel were pleased to be able to fund small and large projects in rural and urban areas.  In the coming year a variety of income generating posts will be in place to enable stations to become financially self-sustaining. Additionally, the fund has paid for training provision at a small number of stations to support a new generation of volunteers.

“I'd like to thank everyone who submitted a bid and to assure them that their application was read and discussed by the panel.”

Media Minister Ian Murray said:

“Community radio stations are at the heart of hundreds of local communities in the UK. Not only do they showcase locally produced content, but they keep people connected and informed about their area.

“That is why I am delighted that our increased funding is helping nearly 50 stations across all four nations. This support will ensure they can continue to grow, create more jobs and reach even more listeners.”