London’s boroughs will be able to apply for over £1m of funding in order to develop their cultural activities and stage ‘world-class’ cultural events.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, launched on Friday the search for the first-ever London Borough of Culture.

The capital’s 32 boroughs will all be able to bid for the £1m of funding, which will also be supplemented by a grant of £300,000 from City Bridge Trust, the City of London Corporation’s charitable funder.

The two winning boroughs, who will be announced in February 2018, will be named London Borough of Culture, with one taking up the title in 2019 and the other in 2020.

In addition, £600,000 is available for to up to six boroughs which don’t win the title, but which put forward exemplary projects.

The winning boroughs will be chosen based on their artistic vision and ambition to deliver ‘outstanding cultural initiatives’ in their local area, putting communities at the centre of the programme’s design and delivery.

‘Culture is the DNA of our city. It has the power to transform communities and to bring people closer together,’ said Mr Khan.

‘Now, more than ever, there is a pressing need to reach out to our neighbours and celebrate London’s unique and diverse culture.

‘London Borough of Culture is a great way to do just that whilst showing the world that our cultural gems extend way beyond the centre of the capital to all corners of the city.’