More than 40 Community Spaces projects could be in line for additional Lottery cash to help them build on the difference they have made to communities across the country.
Big Lottery Fund (BIG) has made a further £800,000 available to help Community Spaces projects in the final 18 months of their grants to better plan for the future and secure a lasting impact.
Community Spaces has identified more than 40 of its projects that could qualify for the extra cash.
Wendy Jenkins, programmes director at Groundwork, which manages the £57.5m BIG-funded Community Spaces grants programme said: “The new money has a very specific purpose and will certainly help those projects that qualify to build on the fantastic things they have already achieved.”
There are two types of funding available – Supporting Change and Supporting Impact grants – for eligible groups that are in the last 18 months of a Community Spaces grant, receiving more than £10,000 revenue funding and with a lifespan of more than a year.
Supporting Change money – up to £10,000 per project – is designed to help groups become more sustainable by enabling them to review the work they have done, share the lessons learned and promote their achievements.
It could pay for staff time, consultants’ fees, volunteer recruitment and expenses, business planning, evaluation, training, monitoring and promotion.
Eligible groups that can demonstrate they are making a significant impact in their local area can also apply for Supporting Impact money, which will fund them for an additional 12 months and help to put their plans into action.
Wendy Jenkins added: “It has always been our ambition to encourage community groups to continue their good work beyond the life of the project.
“As many sources of public funding dry up, it is important that we help as many groups as we can to carry on making a difference for their communities.”
