About
The Local Ecosystems Fund is a multi-year grant-making initiative, focused on improving outcomes for babies and young children, initially in two communities with persistent disadvantage gaps. We are trying to take a responsive approach that combines evidence of 'what works' with local insights to shape the funding strategies; and will then seek to provide flexible grants and support to build collaborations within these communities.
Working with communities
What we’re funding
Funding priorities
Barrow-in-Furness
Improved outcomes for babies and young children in Barrow-in-Furness - from conception to reception.
1. Development and training
Increased training opportunities for personal development to build parenting and life skills.
2. Community spaces and activities
Improved access to safe & inclusive community spaces and intergenerational activities.
3. Pre-natal and antenatal support
Better support & information during the first 1,001 days.
4. Mental health
Improved access to quality mental health provision.
5. Joined up approach
Increased connectivity across services and simpler, more accessible comms.
North & East Cambridge
Improved outcomes for babies and young children in North & East Cambridge - from conception to reception.
A. Financial barriers
Better support to enable families to overcome financial barriers
B. Group-based programmes
Increased variety and access to support groups - especially at key transition points
C. Physical fitness
More inclusive spaces & opportunities for fitness, sports & active play
D. SEND support
Better support for children with SEND & their parents
E. Mental health
Improved access to quality mental health provision
Partners
We’re proud to be working with local, trusted organisations to support early childhood development in each community. We’ll share more about our partners in in autumn 2026.
Delivery partners
The John Coates Charitable Trust (JCCT) is co-funding the Local Ecosystems Fund alongside us. This kind of funder collaboration, where foundations pool resources aligned towards a shared strategy rather than funding in isolation, is what we hope to see more of in future. We're grateful to the JCCT for their willingness to work in partnership with us.
Learning partner
Dartington Service Design Lab, in collaboration with Better Purpose and Place Matters, is expected to work with us throughout as our learning partner and have already started to design the evaluation framework, capture what we're discovering, and share insights openly with the wider sector. We expect to learn lots and are committed to improving our practice and sharing as we go.
Get in touch
If you work in or alongside either of these communities and would like to know more, please get in touch with Sophie at sophie@collectivefutures.org.
If you're a funder who's been thinking about place-based early childhood funding and want to compare notes, we'd love to hear from you too.
