Community radio stations across the UK will benefit from a £600,000 funding uplift this year, bringing the total available through the Community Radio Fund to £1 million for 2025/26.
The additional support from the Government is aimed at helping stations recruit staff, train volunteers, reach wider audiences and develop sustainable operations.
Over 300 licensed community radio stations currently operate in the UK, providing local content that serves specific communities and offers a platform for under-represented groups.
C-DSP stations, licensed under the Small-scale Radio Multiplex and Community Digital Radio Order 2019, are now eligible for the Fund in addition to stations licensed to broadcast on AM and FM.
Of the total funding, £900,000 will be distributed through grants awarded by Ofcom, with applications opening in September.
Grants typically range from £5,000 to £30,000 and are assessed by an independent panel.
The remaining £100,000 will be managed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to support sector-wide initiatives such as audience research and expansion into underserved areas.
The funding is part of the Government’s wider Plan for Change, which includes backing for local media and job creation.
Media Minister Stephanie Peacock said the funding “will help stations create more jobs, build their businesses and reach even more listeners.”
Ofcom and the Community Radio Fund will provide more details about the next application round later this year.
Mark Jones, Chair of the Community Radio Fund, said: “With the fund more than doubling for this year, we’ll be able to support new roles at even more stations.”
Ofcom will shortly announce more details about how they will manage the process for the 2025/26 fund, which will open for bids in September.
Vijay Umrao, Chair of the Community Media Association, said: “We are particularly pleased that part of the funding will be supporting potential new services in underserved areas, something we know our members will be excited about.”
Martin Steers, Director of the UK Community Radio Network, added: “While it’s great to have this boost in funding for this year, it’s vital that the government looks to permanently increase the support available to community radio stations.”