Causes urged to apply for Co-op cash

COMMUNITY causes are invited to apply for funding from the Co-op as part of a new support scheme.

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the national retailer, which has supported 91 Rochdale causes with £248,100 over the past three years, is targeting its funding at organisations working to community wellbeing.

The Co-op is looking for projects supporting access to essential services, for example foodbanks or green spaces, improving mental & physical wellbeing or building community resilience, to receive grants from its 2021 Local Community Fund.

Groups involved in any of these activities are urged to apply to be a beneficiary of the scheme which paid out an average of almost £5,000 to 4,500 causes across the UK last year.

Rebecca Birkbeck, Director of Community and Shared Value, said: “The Co-op Local Community Fund supports grass-roots projects across the UK that our members care about. We want to help communities to come together, co-operate and have a positive impact on community wellbeing – physically and virtually.

“I would urge any group that feels it fits our criteria to apply for funding. We know they need a funding boost now more than ever.”

Residents are also encouraged to use the retailer’s Community Wellbeing Index tool to get local information on what will make the biggest difference to local people.

By entering a postcode the Index will reveal a community’s overall well-being score and indicate its performance across nine specific areas including education health and community spaces.

The Community Wellbeing Index can be accessed at www.communitywellbeing.coop.co.uk.

Causes wanting more information about applying for the next round of the Local Community Fund should visit www.causes.coop.co.uk. The closing date for applications is June 28.