Groups can share £177,000 in grants

LANCASHIRE County Council is encouraging groups from the voluntary, community and faith sector to apply for a grant to support their work.

The county council’s Local Initiative Fund (LIF) 2017/18 has opened for applications, with more than £177,000 available in total across all 12 Lancashire districts.

Funding for each district has been shared out based on population, as well as factors such as areas of deprivation.

The scheme provides grants to voluntary, community and faith sector groups that carry out important work to help communities across Lancashire.

The deadline to submit your application is 5pm on Friday, September 1. Decisions on successful applications will be made in November.

County councillor Albert Atkinson, deputy leader of Lancashire County Council, said community groups played a vital role in all walks of life.

He said: “We’re asking community groups to get in contact and apply for this funding which could directly help to support their work.

“We’ve previously supported a wide range of projects including activities for young people, one-off events for the community, training sessions and fitness events.

“Community groups play an important role in every part of Lancashire. They carry out great work that benefits people in many different ways, and we’re pleased to once again support them through our Local Initiative Fund.”

Groups and organisations in Lancashire from the voluntary, community and faith sector can apply for grants from £1,000 to £5,000, if their project supports one of the scheme’s three priorities: supporting families, skills and employability initiatives, or activities for young people.

Organisations which are looking to apply should visit the website lancashire.gov.uk and search for ‘voluntary community and faith sector grants’, call 01772 533 756 or email localinitiatives fund@ lancashire.gov.uk.