Groups and charities across Nottinghamshire are being encouraged to apply for the latest round of community-improving grants.
These funds will help towards essential running costs, boosting local facilities and improving residents’ access to affordable and healthy food.
It’s all part of Nottinghamshire County Council’s continued commitment to encourage healthy and sustainable communities by financially supporting community groups and charities.
The latest round of the Local Communities Fund (LCF) is now open for applicants until Friday 24th May 2024. Eligible groups can apply for funding which demonstrate that their projects will help communities live healthier and more independent lives.
Councillor Scott Carlton, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health, said: “I’m proud that we’re continuing to financially support community groups to help them carry on their vital work to improve the lives of our residents, particularly with regards to their health and wellbeing.”
Cllr Carlton added: “Community groups will have two opportunities this year (April 2024 – March 2025) to apply for three types of grant funding to suit their needs. Following this current funding window, the next application round is expected to be open in the autumn.”
These grants are:
Capital grants (Eligible groups can apply for up to £20,000)
Funding is available for groups to make improvements to facilities that help improve health and wellbeing, as well as projects with an environmental focus. These include:
- Improvements to sporting facilities
- Play areas and/or equipment
- Green/horticultural improvements to open spaces
- Heritage improvements, signposts and information boards to improve the visitor experience.
Revenue grants (Eligible groups can apply for up to £5,000)
Funding is available to help projects with their day-to-day running costs such as paying wages and bills. Applications from a range of projects are welcomed, including:
- Summer play schemes
- Projects that tackle digital exclusion, good neighbourhood schemes, dementia-friendly communities and food/lunch clubs
- Encouraging local networks where people help themselves and each other to be resilient, neighbourly and safe
- Increasing volunteering opportunities
- Addressing climate and environmental change
- Improving access to existing community-based services (e.g. advice and signposting) for the most vulnerable residents.
Food redistribution grants (Eligible groups can apply for up to £10,000)
Funding is available to help community groups and the voluntary sector to establish or support food redistribution schemes to help families and households access affordable, good quality and nutritious food.
How to apply
To apply for a grant or find out more, please visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/LCF.
For more support and advice, you can check the council’s dedicated cost of living support page at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/business-community/cost-of-living-support.
Editor’s note
A separate fund is also open to local community projects that promote recycling and waste reduction. The Reduce, Reuse, Recycling Fund offers grants to community groups, schools and charities, and offers grants of up to £1,000. Applications are open until 28th June 2024. Find out more at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/newsroom/news/funding-available-for-local-community-projects-that-promote-recycling-and-waste-reduction.