Whether you’re looking for a short-term recession-busting fix or are ready to develop a long-term vision, it is always worth taking tips from those who have gone before.

The Towns-4-Towns Exchange Fund can help towns to share a successful project with others by contributing to the costs of preparing and compiling training materials, hosting a study tour or seminar, or mentoring.

On the other hand, if you’re a town that wants to learn from another town you can apply to the Towns-4-Towns Exchange Fund to part-fund the cost of learning and developing the project, including feasibility, business planning, market testing and pilot work.

Project ideas
What does your town need? Is it an economic initiative to make your town a more prosperous place? Or do you want to know how to carry out effective community-led planning? Maybe you would like to involve the local community in an environmental project that will interest residents of all ages, attract tourism and make your town more self-sufficient.

Here are a few examples of the types of projects you could learn from or that you might be in a position to share.

Happy shoppers

In the midst of recession, who doesn’t want to know how to get more feet pounding the high street? Loyalty cards and shop local schemes have sprung up around the country so pick the one that suits your town best and find out how to get it off the ground from gaining the support of local businesses to the cost of the cards and effective marketing and promotional strategies.

Local distinctiveness

What is it that makes your town special? Learn from towns that have identified their unique selling point and developed and promoted it through dedicated events, projects with the local schools and the community, and targeted marketing campaigns. Stand out from the crowd.

Attracting employers

Are you living in commuters-ville? Does the hard-earned cash of your town’s residents end up in the coffers of the nearest city? Maybe it is time to follow in the footsteps of towns that have attracted major employers and reversed the commuter trend. Find out how to choose the right employers for your town, secure their investment, and work with them to benefit the whole community.

Green your town

As the threat of peak oil hangs over us, more and more towns are seeking ways to be self-sufficient. Could a hydro electric scheme be one answer? Find out how to do the initial research, get the local community on board, pick the best legal structure, raise finance (including selling shares), and work with environmental organisations to make this dream a reality.

How to apply

So, if your town has a project you would like to share, or you are interested in learning more about a successful project from another town, the first step is to complete our simple Expression of Interest Form and we will confirm your eligibility and send you the appropriate application form and guidance. Click here to go to the Expression of Interest Form.

The Application Process

Applications will be assessed by a panel from AMT, prioritised according to need and potential impact, and allocated on a rolling basis annually.

Because of the nature of the funding for this programme, those applying must be AMT Town or Partner members located in England.

Match funding
To make sure everyone involved is fully engaged in the project, we will ask you to bring match funding. So if your project needs £800 we can contribute £400, or for a project of £1000 we would bring £500 (the maximum available through this fund).

Further information

Please get in touch with the Towns Alive Programme Manager, Debbie McGrath email: debbie.mcgrath@towns.org.uk if you have any queries about the Towns for Towns Exchange Fund.

If you are not a member but want to find out more about becoming one, why not get in touch with our Membership Coordinator, Anna McGowan who will be happy to talk you through all the benefits that AMT members enjoy. Tel: 0845 644 6202 or email: anna.mcgowan@towns.org.uk