The policy
Pride in Place is a major new £6bn programme supporting 284 communities across the UK, providing £20 million of investment to each chosen community over the next decade
But this isn’t just about funding – it’s about power. For the first time, decisions about how this money is spent will sit with local communities themselves.
Through new neighbourhood boards made up of residents and community groups, communities will come together to identify what their area needs most and deliver it locally.
That could mean restoring community spaces, supporting local high streets, improving parks and public areas, or backing projects that bring people together.
By putting decision-making in the hands of local people, Pride in Place strengthens local ownership, rebuilds civic pride and helps create stronger, more resilient communities.
At its heart, this is about putting common assets into common hands – and giving people real power to shape the places they call home.
Doorstep line
Our local area will be receiving £20 million, and its our community who will get to decide how it is spent. Local investment and local power, delivered by this Labour government.
The politics
Pride in Place marks a shift away from failed top-down regeneration through “levelling up” towards genuine community power.
Instead of communities fighting each other for scraps of funding and being forced to go cap in hand to Westminster, funding and control are being put directly into the hands of local people.
This reflects a core co-operative belief: that communities themselves are best placed to shape their future. It also builds on years of campaigning by the Co-operative Party to put ownership and control into the hands of communities.
Our Community Britain Holding on to Hope report found that while many people feel pessimistic about the national picture, they still feel proud of their local area. Hope lives locally – and if we are to bring communities together and counter growing division, that’s where we need to start.
Pride in Place is part of that shift: strengthening the places people already believe in, and giving them the power to shape what comes next.
The role of Local Government
Local authorities have a vital role to play in making Pride in Place a success. By working in partnership with communities rather than directing them, councils can help unlock the full potential of this programme.
Councils can support neighbourhood boards by convening local partners, providing expertise, and ensuring communities have the tools and capacity to deliver projects effectively. Most neighbourhood boards include two local councillors – if you're likely to take up that role, then it is important to make sure you're prepared to champion local priorities and ensure the voice of your ward is heard.
This is an opportunity for local government to shift from doing things to communities, to working with them – helping build local ownership, local pride and more local wealth.
Manifesto ideas
Here's some ideas that you could include in your local manifesto. To find out more, use our "Build your own Co-operative Manifesto" tool.
- Use Pride in Place funding for targeted community owned asset and community owned business development projects.
- Create a Pride in Place community forum to ensure residents are involved in decision making.
Campaign lines
If you're looking for campaign lines to use on the doorstep or in your leaflets, here's some ideas below.
- The Government’s Pride in Place programme will support 284 communities across the country, providing £20 million of investment to each chosen community over the next decade.
- But this isn't just about pounds and pence: it's about power. Because how this money will be spent is decided entirely by the communities themselves.
- Whether its restoring community spaces, supporting local high streets, improving parks and public areas or backing projects that bring people together, communities will come together to identify what their neighbourhood needs most and deliver it locally.
- By putting decision-making in the hands of local people, the programme helps strengthen local ownership, rebuild civic pride and build stronger communities.
- It’s about putting common assets into common hands, and giving communities the power to shape the places they call home.
Example Facebook post
Pride in Place is a £6bn programme supporting 284 communities across the country, with £20 million going to communities like ours over the next decade.
But this isn't just about pounds and pence. It's about power. Because how this money is spent is decided entirely by the communities themselves.
Through new neighbourhood boards made up of residents and community groups, local people will come together to identify what their area needs most and deliver it.
That could mean restoring community spaces, improving parks, supporting local high streets, or backing projects that bring people together.
As your Labour & Co-operative candidate, I'll make sure [AREA]'s voice is heard – and that this investment works for our community.
Example Instagram post
£20 million for our community, decided by our community.
Pride in Place is a break from the past. It's local people choosing what their neighbourhood needs most.
That's the Co-operative difference: common assets into common hands.
I'm standing for [AREA] on 7 May.
Example X post
Levelling Up pitted communities against each other to fix up the damage austerity left.
Pride in Place is £20m per community, decided by the community.
Nearly 300 areas with neighbourhood boards, and local people in control.
That's what shifting power actually looks like.
Example Bluesky post
Research shows that even when people feel pessimistic about the national picture, they still feel proud of their area.
Hope lives locally. Pride in Place is built on that promise: £20m per community, with decisions made by residents, not Whitehall.
Strong communities aren't built for people. They're built by them.
Promoted by Joe Fortune on behalf of the Co-operative Party, both at Unit 13, 83 Crampton Street, London, SE17 3BQ, United Kingdom. Co-operative Party Limited is a registered Society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. Registered no. 30027R.
Draft social media posts
Here's some sample posts you could include on social media.