New grants available to turn community ideas into action
News release issued:
People with an idea to make their neighbourhood a better place can now apply for funding through the Birchen Coppice Pride in Place programme.
Two new grant schemes have been launched to support projects which benefit people living in Birchen Coppice, Rifle Range, Silverwoods and parts of Foley Park.
Small-scale ideas can receive a microgrant of up to £500, while community organisations can apply for larger grants of £500 to £10,000 towards running costs and activities, or up to £20,000 for capital projects.
The funding could support a wide range of ideas, from community events, activities and equipment to youth projects, environmental improvements, volunteering, health and wellbeing activities, cultural projects and opportunities to develop skills.
The microgrant scheme is designed for residents, groups of residents, friends, community groups and voluntary organisations looking to deliver smaller projects which directly benefit the area.
For bigger ideas, the Community Grants Scheme is open to constituted community and voluntary organisations, charities, schools, social enterprises and other not-for-profit organisations.
Richard Collie, Chair of the Birchen Coppice Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board, said:
“Local people know their neighbourhood best and there are already lots of people with ideas about how we can make it an even better place to live.
“These grants are about helping people turn those ideas into something real. You might have an idea for an activity that brings neighbours together, something for young people, a project to improve a local space or something completely different.
“You don’t need a huge project to make a difference. If you have an idea that could benefit people in the Pride in Place area, take a look at the grants available and see whether we can help you make it happen.”
Pride in Place is a national Government programme providing long-term investment in neighbourhoods. Around £19.6 million will be invested over 10 years across Birchen Coppice, Rifle Range, Silverwoods and the Foley Park area. Local people are at the heart of the programme, with a Neighbourhood Board made up largely of residents and community representatives helping to shape decisions about the area’s future.
Councillor Dan Morehead, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Planning and the Green Agenda is a member of the Board. He said:
“This is a great opportunity to get funding directly into the hands of local people and organisations who can make a difference.
“Whether it is a small idea that needs a few hundred pounds to get going or a larger community project requiring more substantial investment, we want to encourage people to come forward.
“Pride in Place is about listening to what matters to local people and supporting the changes they want to see. These grants are an important way of beginning to turn that into action.”
Applications will be considered against the aims of the Pride in Place programme and the funding available. Projects should primarily benefit residents living within the Birchen Coppice Pride in Place area.
More information about the grants and application forms are available by visiting www.bcpipp.org.uk/grants-scheme
The programme is also on social media. It can be followed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bcpipp