City Innovation Fund
Our City Innovation Fund supports innovative projects and activities that benefit businesses and the wider city centre community.
We are launching our City Innovation Fund to support projects and activities that will have a positive impact on Bristol’s city centre between April and October 2027. A total of £25,000 is available, with grants ranging from £200 to £5,000 to support the delivery of innovative projects and initiatives across the city centre.
Applications are open until 31 January 2027.
The fund is open to individuals and organisations wishing to deliver projects within the Bristol BID area. While Bristol BID levy payers, those working for them and the buildings they occupy will be prioritised, applications are welcome from anyone within the BID area or looking to deliver a project within its boundary. Please see our BID Boundary map to check whether your activity or project is eligible.
We will prioritise applications that align with one or more of the four themes outlined in our Bristol BID Business Plan. Anyone applying for this funding is encouraged to consider how their project or initiative will contribute to our themes.
Our four themes include:
- Experiences & Promotion – Supporting projects that create exciting experiences, promote Bristol and encourage people to visit, explore and spend time in the city centre.
- Safe & Supported Communities – Delivering initiatives that improve safety, support local communities and create a welcoming environment for businesses, residents and visitors.
- Clean & Welcoming – Supporting projects that improve the appearance and attractiveness of the city centre, creating clean, accessible and inviting spaces for everyone.
- Sustainable & Green – Encouraging environmentally friendly initiatives that promote sustainability and help create a greener, more sustainable city centre.
We are particularly keen to receive innovative proposals that support our nighttime economy, explore new wayfinding solutions, bring underused spaces to life through meanwhile use, and introduce creative winter lights projects.
While we welcome a range of exciting and innovative ideas, we are unlikely to fund or partner with events, as we already have a full programme of activity planned.
Applicants should be prepared to attend an online or in-person meeting in early February 2027 to discuss their proposals in more detail. Evidence of previous project delivery and a reference will also be required.
A total of £25,000 is available for this funding round, with projects expected to be delivered between 1 April and 31 October 2027. A new funding round will open on 1 November 2027 for projects taking place between April and October 2028.
We are dedicated to supporting projects that deliver a positive impact on Bristol’s city centre. As such, we will prioritise proposals that demonstrate innovation, benefit local businesses, encourage collaboration and contribute to a vibrant, safe, welcoming and sustainable city centre.