£30,000 match-funding up for grabs as community pride scheme launches

For the fifth year running, community groups are being invited to bid for a share of £30,000 to help towards local projects.  Cheltenham Borough Council’s community pride scheme has so far given more than £200,000 to eighty community-based initiatives since it launched in 2006.

This year’s scheme is all about encouraging local groups to be able to do more in their communities and the council would be interested in receiving applications which support:

·       Voluntary work
·       Training courses for volunteers and paid staff
·       The purchase of equipment to enable a group to be more effective in improving their neighbourhood
·       Access to advice and support so that groups can take on public access and/or public services
·       The use of technology and social media to create a sense of community
·       The organisation of community events and/or environmental improvements to promote community resilience and sustainability

This scheme has proved very popular in the past and supported many small projects around Cheltenham. Once again, we are looking for wide-ranging applications which will have a direct benefit to the local community.  Funding for public services continues to fall, so it is even more important that we tap into opportunities for communities to support themselves and I hope this funding can help build the capacity to do that.

The application guidelines and application form are now available on the council’s website: www.cheltenham.gov.uk/communitypride.

The closing date is Friday 1 July.  An assessment panel will meet shortly after to ensure that a list of projects recommended for approval is brought to cabinet on 26 July for approval.