Twenty Harlow-based community groups are set to share £30,000 of new funding from the Kao SEED Fund, backing local initiatives designed to deliver social and environmental benefits across the town.

The second Kao SEED Fund (Social Enterprise and Environment Development Fund) was launched in September by data centre operator Kao Data, as part of its commitment to support the community surrounding its AI data centre campus in Harlow. Developed in partnership with Harlow Council, the fund offered grants of between £500 and £2,500 to local community groups and not-for-profit organisations to help launch new programmes or pilot projects.

Successful bids span a wide range of activities, including a fully sustainable theatre production of Alice in Wonderland, a women-only boxing programme, free tuition for disadvantaged pupils, and the creation of a forest garden for a local Scout group.

Councillor Dan Swords, Leader of Harlow Council, noted, “In Harlow, we are building a community where innovation, opportunity and local pride go hand in hand. The Kao SEED Fund is a fantastic example of how business and local government can work together to invest in the people and projects that make a real difference. The Harlow SEED Fund will help community groups across our town to roll out new projects or fund existing work, in order to reach more residents, and continue to make Harlow a great place to live.”

Lizzy McDowell, Director of Marketing at Kao Data, added, “We have been so impressed with the creativity and dedication behind the community projects across Harlow. It was incredibly difficult to narrow down the applications, but we’re thrilled to support a further 20 inspiring groups, through our Kao SEED Fund initiative, that make such a tangible difference, from environmental programmes, arts initiatives through to youth and wellbeing projects.”

The latest round follows the initial launch of the Kao SEED Fund in Harlow last year, with the scheme intended to recognise and invest in community-led projects that aim to make the town a better place to live and work.

Twenty projects share funding

The 20 funded Harlow projects are: 

Butterfly Effect Wellbeing – expanding a community garden project to enable more people to grow vegetables, build connections and benefit from the therapeutic aspects of gardening.

Changing Lives Football – delivering weekly football sessions for children from low-income families, alongside a ‘Mental Health kick around’ team for migrants and asylum seekers to help bring communities together.

Epping and Harlow Community Transport – recruiting and retaining additional volunteer drivers to support Harlow residents who are unable to use public transport.

Harlow Arts Trust – growing the Cycle Create & Move Initiative (CCM) through a new training programme to recruit more artists and provide extra training for existing CCM artists.

Harlow Band Stand – contributing towards the rebuilding of the town’s bandstand.

Harlow Hospital Radio – replacing and upgrading studio and event equipment used for broadcasting within the hospital, in Harlow and across the wider Essex and East Herts area.

Matipo Arts – evolving the “Walk, Talk, Do, Care” creative wellbeing project for unpaid carers, caregivers and socially isolated individuals, building on its work in accessible theatre and arts.

Norman Booth Recreation Centre – supporting The Men’s Kitchen project, which brings men together to learn cooking skills, prepare food and connect over shared meals.

Open Road Vision – expanding the Walled Garden Community Project, run by volunteers for clients in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.

PATACC – recruiting 14 volunteers and providing befriending, safeguarding and health and safety training so they can offer effective befriending services to residents experiencing loneliness and isolation.

Plant pots and Wellies – installing an off-grid solar energy and storage system in one of the organisation’s cabins, changing how the community uses and enjoys the shared space.

Potter Street Health & Wellbeing Hub – supporting a community garden in South East Harlow to bring local residents together and give children a safe, environmentally friendly area to learn about biodiversity, sustainable energy and gardening.

Razed Roof – backing a devised production based on the ‘Health Aware’ project. Performers with Learning Difficulties and Disabilities will use music, dance and drama to raise awareness, inform and entertain audiences on the Playhouse main stage.

Rise Community – funding RiSEBOX, a ladies-only, non-contact boxing programme designed for those who may face cultural, social or economic barriers to traditional fitness environments.

Roots to Wellbeing – supporting Skate and Elevate, a trauma-informed, inclusive community initiative that uses roller skating as a tool for healing, joy and connection.

The Frequency Machine – running local DJ workshops for adults, children and young people, helping participants gain new skills and confidence.

The Parent Hood of Harlow – creating secure buggy storage outside new premises to support parents using the service.

The Scouts – transforming a neglected outdoor area next to the Scout Hut into a forest school-style learning space with an adjoining allotment garden.

The Victoria Hall Performing Arts Association – supporting ‘A Wonderland Christmas’, an annual community-led production that brings together around 80 local volunteers aged 12–80 to create, perform and manage a professional-quality show.

Yellow Brick Road – delivering the Closing the Education Gap project, offering free, high-quality maths and science tuition for disadvantaged Year 11 pupils.