Community Grants Scheme is now open
Blaby District Council’s Community Grants Scheme for 2023-24 is now open for applications.
Grants are available between £500 and £4,000 to help cover costs of different projects which aim to develop and strengthen community facilities and activities for the benefit of residents in the District.
There will be four application rounds across this coming financial year, with the first deadline for applications on Wednesday 31 May at 5pm.
Applications are welcome from a range of voluntary and community sector organisations, including registered charities, social enterprises, community groups which have a formal constitution, youth and sports clubs.
For people who want to find out more there is a virtual information session via MS Teams on Wednesday 10 May at 10am with Zoe Coulson, Blaby District Council’s Funding and Awards Officer.
This will be an opportunity to hear more about the scheme and ask any questions. If you would like to join the session email vcshub@blaby.gov.uk for meeting details or call 0116 2727566.
Zoe Coulson said: "In 2022-23 we awarded a total of £92,302.76 to 52 different organisations. Some 23 organisations were first-time applicants and 15 were supported to address challenges brought about by high energy costs, the cost of living crisis or the pandemic.
"We are delighted to have helped so many groups improve the lives of people throughout the District and we hope for a bumper number of applications for this year’s scheme.
"We have made some changes this year including increasing the total project cost limit up to £40,000 to take account of inflation in recent years and prioritising applications which relate to rising energy costs or which support residents struggling with cost of living challenges. If you believe your group could benefit, please get in touch."
Successful projects from last year’s scheme include:
• £4,000 capital green grant awarded to 84th Leicester Littlethorpe Scouts to replace old fluorescent lighting and storage heaters with more energy efficient solutions
• £4,000 capital grant awarded to Cosby Community Library to develop a sensory garden
• £500 revenue grant for Blaby Methodist Church to run a two-day summer Holiday at Home event to reduce isolation and loneliness
Whetstone Church Lads and Church Girls Brigade (WLCGB) was also awarded a capital grant towards the purchase of first aid training equipment.
David Browning, Leader at Whetstone CLCGB, said: "First aid, especially cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life skill everyone should have the opportunity to learn. Thanks to the grant from Blaby District Council we have been able to match the professional medical skills our group posses with the training equipment the grant enabled us to buy.
"We will now be able to provide certificated training for our leaders and seniors and will be including first aid training in our activity plan. I found the application process simple and the funding team very helpful."
Further information, including the guidance notes, FAQs and top tips are available to download on our Community Grants webpage where you can also find details of how to apply.