A warehouse workshop is set to be built in Dagenham after receiving £850,000 backing from mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
The 3,000 square metre site in Dagenham East will be on a patch of land adjacent to the planned film studios.
The centre will offer free, flexible workshop space for working with metal, wood, digital and textiles.
There will also be meeting rooms, a garden, a computer room and space for parking.
The bid was submitted by the Participatory City Foundation, the £7.2 million five-year project that aims to improve Barking and Dagenham’s community spirit.
In total Mr Khan gave out £24 million in support of projects that promote regeneration. Over the next five years, a total of £70 million will be distributed.
Mr Khan, said: “I am using this funding to challenge preconceptions about how regeneration takes place.
“I want to give all Londoners – regardless of background – the opportunity to be actively involved in their city and have more places to live, learn, work and play.
“The projects I announced funding for today will help us to tackle inequality, strengthen civil society, and ensure the benefits of regeneration are felt by all.”
The Participatory City project aims to work with 25,000 residents in the borough and lead to 250 neighbourhood-led projects.
The organisers also hope 100 new businesses will be set up in the next five years.
Two walk-in centres have already opened – one in Barking and one in Dagenham – where residents can share ideas for projects and businesses they would like to see in their community.
Tessy Britton, chief executive of participatory city foundation, said: “We are delighted the mayor of London has recognised the same exciting opportunities that we see in Barking and Dagenham for developing new inclusive growth models in collaboration with residents, the council and local organisations.”
Unmesh Desai, Barking and Dagenham’s London Assembly member, welcomed the news.
He said: “This investment in east London will enable all local people to take an active and meaningful role in the regeneration of the community, and fully share the benefits of the results.”
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