Deadline: 14-Aug-21
The Essex Association of Local Councils is inviting applications for its Community Initiatives Fund which is designed to help individuals, groups and voluntary organisations boost their local community.
The new Communitive Initiatives Fund (CIF) comprises of an amalgamation of various community grant funding initiatives (original CIF, Local Services Fund, Local Connection Fund and Cultural Development grants) into a single community fund.
This fund will make available £700,000 (subject to availability of funding) over the next two financial years offering both capital and revenue grants, of which £100,000 will be ring fenced for microgrants (£50,000 per annum).
Funding Information
This main fund is subject to a maximum application of £10,000 for any one project and is for capital projects and projects that require a revenue funding for new service provision, (not core funding) or for cultural initiatives.
The Community Initiatives Fund will be segmented into the following:
- Grants up to £10,000 – The main CIF fund. This is for capital projects and projects that require a revenue funding for new service provision, (not core funding) or cultural initiatives.
- Grants up to £500 (microgrants, ‘The Community Chest’). This is for both capital and revenue projects that are creative in connecting communities and delivering community benefit at a grass roots level.
The fundamental premise of the CIF and microgrant funding is for projects that:
- creates, procure or develop new community assets
- enhances existing community assets
- enhances or develop initiatives that strengthen a community, including cultural projects.
- develops local capability
Eligibility Criteria
- Applications are invited from bodies which are within the administrative area of Essex County Council (excluding Southend and Thurrock) and are representative of their local community. Applications may be considered by organisations that are based outside of the administrative area of Essex County Council, if the sole benefit of the project is for communities within the administrative area of Essex County Council.
- Eligible bodies may be but not limited to:
- Town and Parish Councils or Parish Meetings
- Constituted Neighbourhood Committees, Residents Associations, Community Groups and Voluntary Organisations
- Social Enterprises
- CIC’s
- Community Benefit Societies
- Charities and trusts
For more information, visit https://www.ealc.gov.uk/community-initiative-fund-/