Future Councils is our new programme to support local authorities across England to become modern and resilient. From January 2023, we will be piloting Future Councils with a small cohort of six councils to test and iterate our approach.

The pilot will fund councils to make digital and cyber improvements across their organisations, reform key services, and influence organisation-wide factors that can unblock change.

To apply to be part of the pilot, you must be:

• a local authority in England

• a Local Digital Declaration signatory or become a signatory before the application deadline

• supported by your Chief Executive in applying to be part of the pilot

Each partner council will receive up to £750k to work with us over six months.

All applications must be submitted using the online application form on our website by 5:30pm on Friday 18 November 2022.

Do you have a question about Future Councils? 

Take a look at our previously asked questions. 

Couldn’t find an answer? 

Email futurecouncils@localdigital.gov.uk.

We’re looking to award approximately £2.5 million in funding for Discovery, Alpha or Beta projects that help councils transform their digital services.

To apply for the Local Digital Fund Round 6, you must be:

• a local authority in England

• a Local Digital Declaration signatory

• collaborating with two other councils on your proposal

All local authorities (including partner local authorities) must sign the Local Digital Declaration in order to apply for funding. If you have not yet signed up, you can read our guidance on signing and then sign the Declaration online.

All applications must be submitted using the application forms on the Local Digital website by 5.30pm on Thursday 24 November 2022.

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