Grants available for charities in Harwich and Tendring

4th March 2025

Voluntary and community organisations in Harwich are being encouraged to apply for grants from the Harwich Haven Authority Fund (HHA).

Grants of up to £5,000 are available for water-based and maritime projects as well as those contributing to educational, environmental and community initiatives.

Harwich Haven Authority was created by an act of Parliament in 1863 to safeguard the estuary and preserve 150 square miles of the Haven. The Fund, which has been managed by us since 2018, has given a total of £160,000 in grants to support local charities and voluntary groups working in Harwich and Tendring, and is part of the company’s wider programme of community support.

Melissa Wellings, ESG Director at Harwich Haven Authority said, “As a trust port, Harwich Haven Authority enjoys the advantage of being able to invest our profits back into the community that we live and operate within for the benefit of local people and future generations.

“Working with ECF has enabled us to support a wide range of local charities and initiatives to date that are helping to improve people’s lives, provide opportunities to help young people achieve their potential and enhance the areas where they live.

“If there are local groups working in Harwich and Tendring that need support, we would urge them to contact ECF to discuss their funding needs.” 

Projects that have previously received support include:

• Harwich Time and Tide Bell – £200 to buy new litter pickers, to encourage the local community to maintain the cleanliness of the beaches and marine habitats in the area.
• IntoUni – £4003 towards salaries for education workers that support students from Tendring, so they can access further education.
• Signals Media Arts – £5,000 to provide children and young people living in Harwich with digital and creative skills.
• Tendring Time Bank – £5,000 towards help run a time bank that supports vulnerable people living in Clacton-on-Sea
• The Stour Blue Water Pass Trust – £4,000 to continue offering young people in Manningtree and surrounding areas, courses in sailing on the River Stour.

(Picture: Signals Media Arts students learning film production skills)

For more information on grant-making and how you can apply for support, head to our web page here.

You can also contact us at any time on 01245 355947 or book in a call with a member of our Grants Team here.

The deadline for submitting applications is Tuesday 18 March.