Cash from Capacitybuilders!

This week has seen non-departmental public body Capacitybuilders award grants totalling £2.5 million to third sector infrastructure organisations.

 

The grants, part of a three-year, £11.5 million investment programme, are intended to improve and modernise third sector support services in local areas across England. 

 

Examples of projects that have received funding in this current phase are the Rutland Third Sector Infrastructure Consortium, which can now run leadership projects thanks to a handout worth £250,000, and the London Regional Consortium, which is now able to develop a ‘how-to’ guide on securing public premises.

 

For further information visit:

 

http://www.capacitybuilders.org.uk/

 

Source: Capacitybuilders

Blears announces new Empowerment Fund

This week Communities secretary Hazel Blears, speaking at the Acevo conference, invited applications to the eagerly anticipated £7.5 million Empowerment Fund.

 

It has been claimed that the Fund, intended to offer support to charities, community and voluntary groups and social enterprises across England, will play a vital role in helping local communities and the third sector to weather the credit crunch storm. 

 

The programme will fund organisations that work with local people to “empower communities” and “drive change”.  Activities eligible for support include community involvement in planning, the promotion of community leadership and the development of social enterprises.  The Fund, in line with the aims and objectives of the government’s Communities in Control campaign, will give real people a voice and will ask them to have their say on local services such as libraries and local amenities such as town halls.

 

The Empowerment Fund will run from 2009 – 2012 and will support approximately 25 – 30 organisations with grants of between £250,000 – £500,000 over three years.

 

For further information on eligibility criteria and the selection process, visit:

 

 http://www.communities.gov.uk/communities/thirdsector/

 

Source: Communities and Local Government

Young Roots programme seeks Merseyside projects!

The Heritage Lottery Fund’s Young Roots programme has reported a low uptake of applications from the Merseyside area and, as a result, is keen to encourage the submission of quality projects from the region.

 

The Young Roots programme is intended to encourage young people to become involved in heritage – at a local, regional and national level.  The scheme has been established to help youth groups work in partnership with heritage organisations in order to get more 13 – 25 year olds involved in heritage-related projects.

 

Eligible projects must be developed and maintained by young people and might include learning practical skills for conserving wildlife, setting up an archaeology club or researching and providing information on local historical and cultural traditions.  In addition, each project must also create new opportunities for volunteering or new opportunities to gain skills for the young people involved.

 

Grants of between £3,000 and £25,000 are available.

 

Interested individuals should complete an online Pre-Application Form.

 

Young Roots is a rolling programme and there are no deadlines for applications.  You will receive a decision on your application within ten weeks.

 

For further information visit:

 

http://www.hlf.org.uk/English/HowToApply/OurGrantGivingProgrammes/YoungRoots

 

Source: j4bCommunity, Merseyside Funding Information Portal