Fermanagh and Omagh District Council: Funding for Community Groups - COVID-19

Overview

Funding will be made available in each of the District Electoral Areas to support local responses. It is anticipated further funding may be made available subject to the availability of other regional funds. In the event that other funding does become available, funding decisions will be made taking account of other support on offer.

Programme Specific Criteria

To be eligible for grant aid, groups must clearly demonstrate that their project will be delivered within the council area and to its residents. The need for the project within the target community should be identified and support should be delivered on an equitable basis across the relevant geographical area.

Applications must focus on at least one of the following areas:

•  Access to food
•  Volunteering
•  Access to medical supplies
•  Helpline/advice
•  Wellbeing in isolation
•  Communication and engagement.

Please note the priorities and timeline of the funding programme may change as emerging issues arise out of the crisis and the funding support arrangements will be kept under review.

NB The Programme will support activities delivered with effect from 15 March 2020, however applications will not be considered for the normal activities of a group (including core costs).

Eligibility

Eligible groups must be:

• Non-party political and
• Non-profit distributing.
• embership organisations must demonstrate that their beneficiaries do not pay in excess of £1,000 per year.
• New groups formed in response to the outbreak of the COVID-19 Coronavirus or groups that are not formally constituted should seek to work with a local constituted group (which has previously submitted an application to the Council for funding) on a partnership basis and should identify that the constituted group will be the lead applicant in the project. This will facilitate payment of the grant funding to a nominated bank account. Applications will be also be accepted from established groups in receipt of funding with a strong record of delivery in the district.

The lead group must demonstrate that it has an appropriate governance framework and structures in place including:

• A ‘Governing Document’ for example a Constitution or a Governing body registration;
• A list of committee members;
• An equal opportunities policy/statement.

NB In order to maximise the funding available groups will be encouraged to work together to submit joint applications for a local geographical area.

Applicants can seek to address a specific area of need (e.g.: Access to food) or support a multi-faceted support package for the vulnerable and isolated in our communities in connection with the Covid-19 situation.

See the full guidance notes here