How grants are helping Cotswold communities

Grants are available to support a wide range of community projects which bring people together in the Cotswolds and contribute to the quality of community life.

The Community Activity Support Grant, a combination of the previous Youth Activities and World War1 funds, offers each ward in the district a pot of £2,500 to help proposed projects in their areas.

All applications must come from:

• Constituted voluntary organisations
• Town and parish councils
• Registered charities
• Excepted charities
• Registered museums
• Community Interest Companies

Only projects which contribute to the health and wellbeing of residents and the quality of community life are eligible.

Grants awarded will normally be between £100 and £1000 but exceptional circumstances, or where the project benefit will be across multiple wards, larger grants may be considered.

There have already been a number of successful applications including the Avening Cafe Project, which aims to tackle social isolation amongst older residents and other groups in their community. They want to build on the good work they have done so far by running a number of special cafes or collaborative pop up cafes during the year, to attract, involve and connect with people who are lonely.

Cirencester’s Ozone Hub, a one-stop-shop for young people which offers volunteering opportunities for all ages along with employment support and training, has also been awarded a grant.

A converted portacabin will become the new home of the hub where community members and young people will receive support to gain qualifications, employment and confidence as well as providing food and drinks and local meeting space. The grant will purchase equipment such as a cooker, sofas, tables and chairs, cutlery and other kitchen equipment for the new hub.

Both projects each received £1,000.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Mike Evemy said, “These grants can be of great benefit to local communities. We hope people from across the whole district will apply for funds to support events, activities or projects which will enhance the quality of life for local people. I’m particularly keen to support projects involving young people and those which will improve the quality of our environment by taking action to combat waste and climate change.”

Council Leader Joe Harris added: “There are some great ideas for developing local communities and we would be delighted to give those ideas a helping hand by providing funds to help either get them off the ground or develop further.”

To apply for a grant visit https://cotswold.gov.uk/communities-and-leisure/community-funding/