Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF)

High Speed Two (HS2) is a new high speed railway linking up London, the Midlands, the North and Scotland. In October 2014, the Government announced a funding programme to offset the disruption of Phase One of HS2 on local communities and economies. A combined total of £45 million has been made available for this fund, with £40m allocated for areas disrupted by the construction of Phase One and £5m allocated for areas disrupted by Phase 2a. The Community and Environment Fund (CEF) aims to add benefit over and above committed mitigation and statutory compensation to communities along the route that are demonstrably disrupted by the construction of HS2. CEF Local funds smaller projects up to £75,000, focusing on quality of life and environment in individual communities. CEF Strategic funds larger projects from £75,001 up to £250,000, addressing broader concerns across several communities. The Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) supports local economies that are demonstrably disrupted by the construction of HS2. Applications are invited for capital or revenue grants from £10,000 up to £250,000. The fund aims to support interventions that have a positive impact on local economies, including promotional activities, events, tourism projects, public realm enhancements, and business support services. Both funds are open for the duration of the construction period and for the first year of operation of HS2 services, running from March 2017 through March 2035.