Apply now for funding, community groups told
LANCASHIRE’S Police and Crime Commissioner has relaunched his Community Action Fund and called on organisations to apply.
Clive Grunshaw said he recognised that projects may need to be delivered differently during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The move comes as 26 projects have been successful in gaining grants, with more than £60,000 going towards community organisations helping make Lancashire a safer and better place.
By helping groups tackle local concerns and deliver the commissioner’s key priorities in his Police and Crime Plan, the fund helps engageg people in their communities, through diversionary activity and targeted support among others.
With the funding reopening for applications, Mr Grunshaw said he was keen to hear from groups that may be able to deliver schemes in innovative ways, mindful of the impact that Covid-19 has had, with social distancing likely to still be in place in some form for the foreseeable future.
Applications will need to contain expected outcomes of projects and how these will be measured.
Mr Grunshaw said: “The past few months have seen life here in Lancashire change, almost beyond recognition, for many people.
“We know that the work that my Community Action Fund supports, helping deliver my Police and Crime Plan priorities, is still something that is needed across the county.
“As my fund relaunches, I would like to call on all those groups that support our neighbourhoods and help build more confident, vibrant communities, to apply for support to help deliver those projects that are often the glue that brings people together and keep people safe.
“This can include diverting people from getting involved in Antisocial behaviour, to tackling grooming or bogus callers, mental health projects to support victims and vulnerable people or online programmes and activities to join communities together.
“Since launching the fund seven years ago, I have seen the wide range of fantastic ideas that have come forward and am sure that this bidding round will bring new and innovative projects and approaches.
“Time and again it’s clear the positive impact these small grants can have – they provide real value, make a big difference across Lancashire and will continue to do so in these difficult times.”
Organisations applying for the Community Action Fund are encouraged to join the commissioner’s new social action network Our Lancashire, which is able to support them to grow and engage with new members.
Launched in November 2019, Our Lancashire is now supporting more than 1,000 community groups and organisations and is fast becoming the “one stop shop” for groups and events.