£260,589 capital grant scheme to boost local community projects this year
Friday, 22 September 2023
We're launching a new £260,000 scheme to improve and strengthen communities and neighbourhoods’ spaces throughout our area.
We're inviting community groups to find out more at two ‘Meet the Funder’ sessions (supported by Community Voluntary Service) as we launch a new £260,000 scheme to improve and strengthen communities and neighbourhoods’ spaces throughout the area.
The Community Grant Fund (CGF) is one of the first schemes to be launched following the announcement earlier this month that £4.6 million of the government’s ‘UK Shared Prosperity Fund’ has been allocated for local investment in Central Bedfordshire.
The CGF will support innovative and impactful projects that can transform the community and neighbourhood infrastructure in the area. Projects to receive funding will be those that:
- create or enhance community and neighbourhood’s infrastructure, such as buildings, facilities, or green spaces, and increase resilience to natural hazards, such as flooding
- support local community-based groups and organisations to develop their capacity and infrastructure with skills, sports and other equipment, tools for better engagement, or improvements to facilities
- establish or improve local green spaces, such as parks, gardens, or woodlands, and promote their environmental, community and social benefits
- invest in capital assets that support local arts, cultural and creative activities, such as venues, equipment, or materials
We're inviting not-for-profit, local organisations to apply. These will include registered charities, voluntary, community groups and parish or town councils, schools / parent associations (in relation to their wider community role), community interest companies/ community benefit societies, faith organisations (in relation to their wider community role) and social enterprises.
They are invited to one of two online ‘Meet the Funder’ sessions. The sessions take place online, from 6pm to 7pm on Tuesday 3 October, and 10am to 11am on Thursday 5 October.
Each project could be eligible for between £5,000 and £40,000 of funding. The funding will be allocated on a competitive basis, based on the quality and deliverability of the applications.
The window for grant applications is 10am on 3 October until 10am on 3 November 2023.
Lorna Carver, our Director of Place and Communities, said:
We are delighted to launch this new funding scheme that will support projects that deliver real, tangible benefits to our communities and neighbourhoods. This is an opportunity for local organisations to showcase their innovation and creativity and come to us with proposals that will make a lasting difference in their community. We look forward to seeing as many organisations as possible at our ‘Meet the Funder’ sessions to find out how we can support them to bring their vision to life.
Find out more about the ‘Meet the Funder’ sessions and information and guidance on how to apply.
This grant scheme is part of the UKSPF and REPF programme, which provides £4.6 million of government funding for local investment in Central Bedfordshire. The programme aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK by investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.
Visit GOV.UK for more information about the programme.