Last chance to apply for the Community Grant scheme!

Posted on: Monday, December 11, 2023

Following the success of the Community Grant Scheme which has seen local communities benefit across the district, Newark and Sherwood District Council has launched its Community Grant Scheme for 2023/4.

The fund of £100,000 is open to groups and charities in the district who can now apply for grants up to £20,000 to help fund projects and schemes in Newark and Sherwood.

The District Council will consider any projects which help to meet the commitments of its Community Plan. The application process has been simplified and is aimed at encouraging local communities to deliver exciting and transformative projects to help improve the lives of residents.

Extra weighting will be given for projects whose applications can show they:

  • contribute to overcoming the cost-of-living crisis,
  • contribute to public protection by reducing crime or anti-social behaviour,
  • improve biodiversity or contribute to reducing climate change.

Projects must take place in the district and funding cannot be applied for retrospectively. Any local voluntary and community groups or charities can apply for this funding.

This year up to £20,000 can be applied for to allow for larger transformational projects with any application over £5,000 asked to demonstrate match funding.

“I’m really happy to see the new Community Grant Scheme, as it gives groups that may otherwise not be able to access council funds the opportunity to deliver projects for our residents. Last year we saw some truly amazing projects. This year I encourage local groups and charities to apply,” enthused Councillor Paul Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Community Relations at Newark and Sherwood District Council.

“The aim of the Scheme is to give community groups access to funds to improve the lives of our residents, that could be through the introduction of a scheme that helps combat anti-social behaviour in an area or maybe that gives residents access to help during the cost-of-living crisis. We want to make the application process as simple as possible and it is so important that we get these grants out to the right projects, wherever they are happening in the district.”

In 2022/3 community grants totalling £151,000 were distributed to 56 organisations across the district.

Applications can be made to the fund between 13 November and 22 December 2023 with awards being made from 5 February 2024. For the full eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/communityfunding/ or call 01636 650 000 during normal office hours.