A total of £913,000 has been given away to local projects across three rounds of the Meridian Water Community Chest programme so far

Recipients of the third round of Meridian Water 'community chest' funding — Recipients of the third round of Meridian Water Community Chest funding (credit Enfield Council)

Another quarter-of-a-million pounds has been handed out to 34 community projects using contributions from developers at the Meridian Water housing regeneration site.

Enfield Council last week announced the successful applicants to the third round of its Meridian Water Community Chest grants programme. The scheme provides local not-for-profit organisations and charities with the opportunity to apply for up to £10,000 in funding to bring their community projects to life.

The grants programme aims to “empower residents and community groups to make a real difference across Edmonton”.

Two previous rounds of Meridian Water Community Chest, in 2022 and 2025, saw £647,000 handed to 43 projects. The third round sees another £266,000 added to this total.

Supported projects include London DJ & MC Academy CIC, helping young people build confidence and positive futures through music; No1 Fitness Education Academy CIC, running knife crime prevention sessions and healthy lifestyle activities; Career Quest, helping residents gain skills and find work; 1159 (Edmonton) Squadron RAF Air Cadets, supporting youth and cadet activities; MHA Communities and Expressions Through Art, running creative and wellbeing workshops; and Middlesex Association for the Blind, providing inclusive support projects.

Council leader Ergin Erbil last week attended a celebratory event to congratulate the successful groups. He said: “I’m proud of all our community and voluntary groups in Edmonton. I’m proud that we are able to support them. Our Meridian Water Community Chest is here to support people in and around Edmonton and make sure local people benefit from investment in the area.

“Our new social value policy means we can do even more with the money we receive from big projects like Meridian Water. Whether that’s creating jobs, providing free and low-cost courses to young people, funding local community groups and protecting our environment.

“We want to build strong communities, support good jobs, and achieve a cleaner greener Edmonton. Funding like the community chest is vital because it helps local people and local ideas directly. These projects show how local groups can make a real and lasting difference and create social value for residents.”

Vistry, which is delivering the first phase of Meridian Water, called Meridian One, has been the biggest contributor so far to the Meridian Water Community Chest programme.

Dan King, executive chair at Vistry London Division, said: “We are delighted to support Enfield Council and these fantastic projects which will make such a positive impact to the local community.

“We take great pride in our ongoing partnership with the council as we continue to deliver much needed affordable homes at Meridian Water whilst providing new employment opportunities and supporting investment into community led initiatives.”

The first round of Meridian Water Community Chest, back in 2022, saw £317,000 given away to 19 projects, including the provision of long-term bicycle loans and cycling lessons. Round two last year saw £330,000 handed to 24 projects, including football and basketball training for young people.

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.