LCCC Hardship Funding Programme 2023/2024

Overview

Aims of the Fund

This fund aims to assist local grass roots groups to:

• keep their community buildings operational for existing services;
• provide additionality in programming for local groups/individuals who are facing hardship;
• enhance service delivery by keeping facilities open and possibly longer during the autumn/winter months;
• provide sustenance and resources for users; and/or
• develop or enhance a community planting scheme for materials to grow and supply perishable goods to their community.

Who is eligible?

The Fund is open to community/voluntary organisations based in the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area that meet the following criteria:

• an open and accountable governing document (Constitution or Articles and Memorandum of Association, or applicable governing document) that has been properly adopted;
• a bank account in the name of the organisation, which requires at least two (unrelated) signatories
• an annual set of independently examined financial accounts, endorsed at an Annual General Meeting;
• a Management Committee or Governing Board, elected by its membership at an Annual General Meeting, and elected office bearers.

What they will fund

Under the Hardship Funding Programme, applicants can apply for up to a maximum of £2,000 to address any of the key aims set out above.

Types of areas they can fund include (but not restricted to):

• Energy costs (eg heating and lighting)
• Development and/or expansion of services, programmes or activities to address community needs who are facing hardship eg. people experiencing increased stress/isolation, vulnerable groups
• Costs associated with the provision of food to provide users/those facing hardship with sustenance
• Costs associated with resources deemed applicable to tackling hardship
• Equipment purchases to enable community planting programme delivery eg gardening equipment, raised beds, poly tunnel etc
• Seeds and plants required to grow your own vegetables/herbs or other items which will provide local communities with produce to assist in meal preparation

Additional information

The financial support available through this grant may not cover all costs associated with the requirements of the group for the development of a particular project. Where this is the case, the criteria will require the organisation to cover any shortfall from their existing resources and provide proof of funds. Match funding will not be a pre-requisite for the submission of applications.

By providing a contribution to the additional running (eg energy) costs for a building, it must be used to deliver broad based community programming for the benefit of the local community. The building may be used by a geographic based community or community interest group with members from across the entire City and district;

Proposals can include costs associated in adapting the delivery of, or creating new programmes, services and activities to help address hardship in local communities.

In respect of those applicants who wish to develop a Community Planting Scheme, this will also involve training from our Parks staff for groups and members of the public whilst linking groups to key partner organisations to look at meal planning and food waste.