£5,000 could be yours in community funding contest

A CASH boost of up to £5,000 is up for grabs for local community groups.

Housing provider One Manchester is providing the funding through its Community Soup initiative and is calling on groups to apply before September 4.

Community groups and projects that make a difference in their neighbourhoods are invited to apply to pitch at one of four events across the city.

Applications are then shortlisted and judged on how well the project aligns with One Manchester’s vision, whether the project is sustainable and how well the project demonstrates social innovation.

After enjoying a bowl of soup at the events and listening to the project pitches, the audience of local residents vote for those they think should get the funding. To date, more than 600 people in east and south Manchester have turned up to cast their vote on the matters important to them.

So far 266 applicants have been helped, and if they don’t win enough votes to be awarded funding, other types of support can be offered such as training, improving their structure or recruiting more volunteers.

Successful applicants can win up to £5,000 for their project.

There are four free Community Soup events taking place around east and south Manchester the week of September 17 from 6.30pm to 8pm.

For details visit: www. onemanchester.co.uk/communitysoup-form-supporting-communities or call 0330 355 1000.