Funding for local community projects

Community groups looking for help with projects that can show benefit to the local community 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 award grants to local projects. Successful projects last year included upgrading outside play areas, a community seating project, music systems for several clubs and renovating community buildings.

Kent County Council is administering the funds and application packs and further information is available from KCC Community Engagement Officers Emma Carey and Will Farmer, or can be downloaded from DDC's website: www.dover.gov.uk/neighbourhoodforums.

Participatory Budgeting directly involves local people - residents, community groups and representative from all parts of the community - in voting on grant applications and making recommendations on how the grant money is spent on projects in their own area. This is with the aim of increasing transparency, accountability and involvement in local government affairs.

Eligible local groups applying for funding will be asked to attend special "You Decide" community events to give a 2 minute presentation on their project, which will be held during September, October and November 2012. Details of these events can be found on the application forms or on the DDC website at www.dover.gov.uk/neighbourhoodforums.

The closing date for applications is 3 September 2012.

For more information about the Small Community Capital Project fund, contact: Emma Carey, KCC Community Engagement Officer on 01622 694943 or Will Farmer, KCC Community Engagement Officer on 01622 694032.