💷 Funding of up to £10,000 available to voluntary organisations, community groups, residents’ associations and Town and Parish Councils.

Rebecca is encouraging voluntary organisations and community groups in Castle Point to apply for grant funding as part of Essex County Council’s Community Initiative Fund (CIF), it is designed to help Community and Voluntary Sector organisations, groups, clubs and Parish & Town Councils improve and support their local community, making it a better place to live work and visit.

Since it launched, the CIF has supported projects such as: 

• Upgrades to sports facilities
• Improvements to community buildings such as new heating systems or accessible toilets
• Staff costs for projects or maintenance
• IT systems or support
• Cultural events and activities

Through the main CIF round, grants of up to £10,000 are available for projects designed to strengthen local communities.

Applications to the fund should be made before the closing date of Friday 28 November. More information can be found here: https://ealc.gov.uk/community-initiative-fund-cif/. 

Alongside the main CIF round, micro grants of up to £1,000 are also available. These grants could help reduce social isolation, improve wellbeing or encourage communities to connect. They could also support organisations to build and develop their capabilities and skills.

Applications to the micro grants fund will remain open until all the funds for these are allocated. More information can be found here: https://ealc.gov.uk/micro-grant-fund/. 

Last year, more than £200,000 was distributed through the CIF. £225,000 will be available this time round.

The fund is administered by the Essex Association of Local Councils (EALC) on behalf of Essex County Council.

Commenting on the Fund, Rebecca said: "We have some excellent community projects in Castle Point and this Fund can help to strengthen them even further, helping to create, procure, develop new, or enhance existing community assets.

"I would love to see some of this fund used to benefit our communities in Castle Point. If you know of any organisations that have a project in need of support and you think could benefit from applying to the Fund, make sure to point them to the Community Initiative Fund website" (link can be found above).