Craigavon Development Grant Aid Scheme

Overview

The purpose of the Craigavon's Community Development Grants are to provide support to local communities to develop their capacity to bring about change at a local level and to work in partnership with other statutory agencies to assist in this process.

In the 2011-2012 financial year, Craigavon Borough Council allocated £99,980 to support the work of local community and voluntary Groups. The Council added a further £167,362 to support local advice giving agencies in the Borough.

The purpose of the Council’s Community Development Grant-Aid Scheme is to support the work of local communities to become active and organised, informed, influential and sustainable. Through the delivery of the Community Development Grant-Aid Scheme the capacity of Groups is raised enabling them to actively participate in their local communities.

Applicants will be required to demonstrate their commitment to the principles of: Participation; Empowerment; Self Help; Partnership and; Collective Action.

Priority may be given to those Groups who reflect Council’s priorities of:

• Targeting support towards those most in need
• Community development activity at a local level
• Supporting new and emerging community development Groups

While priority will be given to those Groups reflecting the above priorities, voluntary Groups should address the following in their application:

• Evidence of work at a local level in areas of need
• Promotion of participation in community life
• Improving the quality of life for residents in the Borough

Council’s maximum grant-aid award to Voluntary and Community Groups is £4,000.It is not anticipated that applications from healthcare and or youth groups will receive any funding. However, older persons groups that demonstrate community development processes in their activities may be eligible for up to £500.

The following are in the ineligible list: audit/accounting fees; TV licences; service/maintenance charges and training not directly related to Community Development. Applications towards recurrent costs and salaries, as well as those from larger, established Groups will not rank as high priority. No funding will be made available in respect of the purchase and/or erection of bunting.

As a guide the Council has capped the following items subject to available funding and the number of applications received: Stationery £200; Production of newsletters £200; Photocopier £200; Electricity £400; Oil £700; Water Rates £50; Hospitality £50; Insurance £600; Telephone/Mobile/Top-up £120; New Mobile £50; Broadband £200; Laptop /Computer £400; Hard Drive £100; Catering Equipment £200; Camera £60; Cleaning Materials £50; Community Development Training £200; Website Creation £400; Venue Hire/Rent £1,000. Applicants should note that this is not an exhaustive list.

Categories of Grants Available

• Community Development
• Advice Services

Grants will be made for the financial year 2012-2013, and must be applied for on an annual basis. Calls for applications will normally be made once per year however Council reserves the right to retain 15% of the grant-aid budget to allow for new Groups forming after the closing date of the public advertisement. The maximum start-up grant is £500.