Community Covenant funding available for local projects

Following the launch of the Armed Forces Community Covenant, community groups across Dover District are invited to apply for grants from £100 to £250,000 to support projects that strengthen the ties or understanding between members of the armed forces community and the wider community in which they live.

Community groups were invited to apply for funding from the Community Covenant Grant Scheme following the launch of the Covenant in June 2013, and in the first round of funding in January 2014, groups in Dover District successfully applied for grants of more than £22,000.

Applications are now invited for the next round of funding. Projects need to encourage greater understanding of the issues affecting the service community, or recognize and remember the sacrifices faced by the service community, or be activities, events or projects that help integrate the service community with the wider community.

Funding is from the Ministry of Defence, and is administered and promoted by Dover District Council. The Armed Forces Community Covenant was launched at Dover Castle to encourage people to support the service community in their area, and DDC has been encouraging people to sign up to the Covenant via the DDC website.

Applications for the Community Covenant Grant Scheme are considered by a MOD Regional Board three times a year - the deadline for the next round is 17 May 2014.

Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council and Chairman of the Dover District Civilian Military Partnership Board said: "We are very pleased to support the Community Covenant. Dover District has many historical connections with the armed forces, and the Community Covenant Grant Scheme is helping to ensure we support and respond to the needs of the wider armed forces community."

For more details, an application form, or support with an application, visit www.dover.gov.uk/communitycovenant or contact Community Engagement Officer Una Mills on 01304 872274 or by email to communitycovenant@dover.gov.uk.