Funding For Local Community Projects

Community groups in Dover District looking for help with projects that can show benefit to the area are invited to apply for grants of up to £2,500 from the Dover District Neighbourhood Forums.

Dover District Council and Kent County Council have again allocated funding to the Dover District Neighbourhood Forums to give out capital grants to local projects. Successful projects last year included new equipment, small building works, replacement railings, display boards, fencing, and many others.

KCC is administering this Small Community Capital Projects fund and application packs are available from Anne Charman, KCC Community Engagement Manager, or they can be downloaded from www.dover.gov.uk/community/getting_involved-1/neighbourhood_forums/funding_information.aspx.

This year the Neighbourhood Forums are piloting Participatory Budgeting. This means residents, community groups and representatives of all parts of the community discuss and vote on grant applications, and make decisions on how grant money is spent on projects in their area. All recommendations are subject to approval by KCC and DDC.

Local groups will be asked to attend special "You Decide" community events and to give a 3 minute presentation on their project. More details of the event for their area will be sent to groups well in advance, after they have applied.

Councils are keen to encourage applications from local voluntary and community groups that have not applied to the Neighbourhood Forums before. The application process is straightforward and advice and assistance is available from KCC.

The closing date for applications is 27 August 2010. For more information, contact Anne Charman, KCC Community Engagement Manager on 01622 696389.