One of biggest challenges facing regeneration is short-termism. Political cycles, changing priorities and shifting funding programmes can disrupt plans and fragment delivery.

Another major challenge, which is directly impacted by the typical top-down approach to regeneration, is that communities can become disengaged and lose faith in the regeneration process.

The Pride in Place Programme (PiPP), however, is unlike many previous regeneration funding programmes, because places have already been awarded £20m. The challenge now is developing a credible 10-year plan that reflects local priorities while meeting the programme’s ambitious November 2026 deadline.

With the creation of Neighbourhood Boards, the PiPP puts local communities at the centre of decision making. But these Boards still have to meet a deadline of November 2026 to submit their Regeneration Plan setting out their long-term priorities and how their funding will be spent.

But with local authorities and Neighbourhood Boards working to ambitious timescales to develop their 10-year plans, turning funding into meaningful, community-led change requires a clear strategy, robust evidence and genuine local engagement.