October 2009

Wealden support for local community groups

Local voluntary and community groups have until 30 November 2009 to apply for the latest round of Wealden Community Grants.
Previous rounds offered financial help ranging from £1,000 for a one-off small grant to support Stone Cross Memorial Hall, to a £146,000 a year Service Level Agreement to Citizens Advice to help meet growing demand for help during the recession.
"There are three different Wealden Community Grant schemes to satisfy a range of different funding needs," said Councillor Ron Cussons. "The current  recession has left everyone, including the Council, strapped for cash but we intend to make the best use of resources to meet real needs and ambitions in the community.  We want to hear about your plans."
The three different Community grant schemes are:

• Wealden Small Grants: offers one-off grants of between £1,000 and £3,000.
• Wealden  Community Capital Scheme: grants of £10,000 or more for capital projects.
• Service Level Agreements: three year funding arrangements for long term schemes.

Applicants need to find matching funding at least equal to the value of their application. This can be either cash or in-kind, such as volunteer time.
"Match funding ensures that Wealden's villages and towns benefit from much larger amounts, far beyond the grant funding provided by the Council," explains Councillor Cussons. "In some cases this approach has helped projects secure large amounts of money from the National Lottery fund."
Projects must be in line with Wealden's aims. These are:

• Putting People First by providing quality services and promoting health, prosperity and safety;
• Pride of Place through the preservation and enhancement of our environment;
• Working together with partners to ensure maximum  benefit  to the community of our joint resources.

Organisations wishing to apply for any of these grants can download an application pack from our website, or contact Wealden District Council. Telephone 01323 443520. The closing date for applications is 30 November 2009.
Organisations that have recently benefited from Wealden's Community Grants Scheme include the East Sussex Association for the Blind, North Wealden Community Transport, the Diplocks Community Trust, The Heathfield Partnership and the Conservators of Ashdown Forest.

For further information:

Wealden Community Support