FOR Cardiff has today opened applications for its City Ambition Fund 2026, inviting businesses, organisations, charities and community groups to apply for funding to deliver projects that will help make Cardiff city centre an even better place to work, visit and invest in.
The City Ambition Fund was established by FOR Cardiff to support bold, creative ideas that align the Business Improvement District’s Business Plan and contribute to a thriving, inclusive and sustainable city centre. Previous rounds have supported a wide range of initiatives, from public art and cultural experiences to environmental improvements, community projects and business-led innovation.
The 2026 fund is now seeking applications from organisations with projects that will deliver meaningful benefits for Cardiff city centre, whether through enhancing the visitor experience, improving public spaces, supporting sustainability, encouraging collaboration or celebrating the city’s unique identity.
Successful applicants will receive funding to help turn their ideas into reality, creating projects that have a lasting positive impact on the city centre and the businesses that call it home.
Emily Cotterill, Associate Director at FOR Cardiff said: “The City Ambition Fund is about investing in the ideas that make Cardiff city centre more vibrant, resilient and welcoming. Every year we’re inspired by the creativity and passion of applicants, and we’re excited to see what innovative projects come forward for 2026.
Whether it’s an initiative that supports our businesses, improves the city centre environment, brings communities together or creates new reasons for people to visit Cardiff, we encourage organisations of all sizes to apply.”
The fund forms part of FOR Cardiff’s ongoing commitment to investing levy payer funding into projects that deliver tangible benefits for the city centre while supporting collaboration across the business community. The scheme was introduced in response to feedback from levy payers, who wanted a more transparent and strategic approach to external funding.
The previous round of funding targeted issues surrounding greening and the climate, and funded projects from Keep Wales Tidy, the Huggard, and a research piece from Cardiff University.
Applications are now open until 4th August 2026.
Full eligibility criteria, guidance and application information can be found here.