A charity backed by a £40m government endowment has launched to mark the centenary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Queen Elizabeth Trust will support “local projects of public value and will act as a catalyst for future fundraising”, said the government.

This is set to include “the development and transformation of underused buildings and green spaces as well as neighbourhood hubs in communities across the UK”, it said, adding that “funding will also help communities ensure they have access to the skills and training they require to deliver local events”.

The launch of the charity is part of a tradition of creating “living memorials” to a monarch, that includes the establishment of King George V Playing Fields nearly a century ago.

King Charles III will be a patron of the Queen Elizabeth Trust, which is one of three related memorial projects to honour the late monarch.

This also includes a memorial in St James Park and a digital memorial. Further details of these plans will be announced on Tuesday this week, which would have been the Queen’s 100th birthday.

“Inspired by the late Queen’s stated belief that ‘everyone is our neighbour’, the Trust will work hand in hand with communities, providing funding and targeted support to restore and sustain shared spaces at the heart of local life,” said the government.

The charity’s founding chair is deputy chair of the BBC Damon Buffini.

“This is a real chance to support communities across the United Kingdom and bring shared spaces back to life: places where people of all ages and backgrounds can meet, connect, and belong,” he said.

“I’ve seen first-hand the difference these spaces can make, creating opportunities, sparking connections, and giving people a sense of pride in where they live. At a time when so many feel disconnected, this work feels more important than ever.

“As an organisation, we’re ambitious about what we can achieve, and our goal is to significantly increase our impact by attracting support from others.”

The charity’s launch was a recommendation of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee and following consultation with community groups and charities across the UK.

“I hope this new charity will encourage people to remember the life and service of the late Queen by recognising the importance she attached to strengthening that sense of engagement and belonging amongst local communities,” said the Committee’s chair Lord Janvrin.

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