Community groups in Oxford are being encouraged to apply for grants of up to £25,000 to help protect their local areas from flooding. Oxfordshire County Council has launched this funding initiative for the third year in a row, with the latest round of applications opening on 31 March 2026.
The council is looking to support small-scale projects designed to manage and reduce the impacts of flooding. Eligible applicants, including parish and town councils, local flood groups, and catchment partnerships, have until 4 May 2026 to register their interest. The successful projects will receive funding to cover work carried out between April 2026 and March 2027.
This programme follows a successful previous year, which saw the council award more than £500,000 to help fund nearly 40 different flood reduction schemes across the county. Since the grant scheme began in 2024, it has provided essential support for projects such as clearing ditches, installing water pumps and flood sensors, repairing tracks to reduce surface water, and creating natural flood management systems.
Councillor Judy Roberts, the cabinet member for place, environment and climate action, highlighted that extreme weather linked to climate change means flooding is affecting more people in the region than ever before. These community-led efforts act as a vital part of the county’s wider flood strategy. This work operates alongside larger efforts, such as the Environment Agency-led Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme, which is expected to move into the construction phase in late 2026.
Following the severe flooding caused by Storm Henk in January 2024, which impacted homes in areas including Abingdon, Steventon, Botley, and Didcot, a new strategic flood risk group was formed to better coordinate the regional response. The council, acting as the lead local flood authority, continues to focus on these community grants as a practical way to build resilience against future risks from surface water and groundwater.
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