Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Community Response Fund
Overview
APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED
Who can apply?
The Covid-19 (Coronavirus) Community Response Fund is open to community and voluntary organisations that have:
- an open and accountable governing document (Constitution or Articles and Memorandum of Association) that has been properly adopted and demonstrates that the organisation’s membership is open to all regardless of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic identity, religious belief, political opinion, marital status and with or without dependents.
- a bank account in the name of the organisation, which requires a minimum of two unrelated members to authorise withdrawals and an annual set of independently examined financial accounts, endorsed at an Annual General Meeting.
- a management committee, elected by its membership at an Annual General Meeting, and elected office bearers.
- have appropriate Safeguarding policies for protecting Children and Vulnerable adults, who are involved as part of the group’s programme.
- Up to £5 million Public Liability insurance cover, to cover all risk associated with the activities of the organisation.
The fund is also open to faith based organisations that can evidence b, d and e from the above list.
Programe Criteria
The priority of this grant fund is to assist local community organisations in alleviating the impacts of the Covid-19 [Coronavirus] pandemic within their local community.
The fund seeks to encourage local community based organisations, either individually or on collaboration with other similar local organisations to address local issues through innovative and appropriate local solutions.
Priority areas for the fund include:
- Food poverty, and access to food arising from shielding and isolation
- Financial hardship
- Connectivity for those isolated
- Support for those identified as “Vulnerable Groups” under Public Health Agency guidance
It should be noted that applications addressing other issues than the above, arising from the COVID-19 [Coronavirus] pandemic, will also be welcomed for consideration.
The Covid-19 (Coronavirus) Community Response Fund applications will be assessed and scored against the fund criteria. Organisations must clearly demonstrate on their application form how they can support one or more of the following groups and outline the service they will deliver:
- · Older People (aged 70 and over)
- · Isolation, loneliness, well-being and mental health
- · Homeless people
- · People experiencing food poverty
- · People experiencing financial hardship
- · Young people up to 26 years
- · Those most vulnerable as advised by Public Health Agency (PHA). A full list of which can be found on their website https://www.publichealth.hscni.net
What will they fund?
The fund will only support activities related to the challenges emerging from the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
The following activities will be a priority for this grant programme:
- Provision of direct and immediate practical support for vulnerable individuals and families
- Initiatives that promote a sense of well-being in a time of isolation, whilst following the Public Health Agency (PHA) guidelines
- Initiatives that directly support the most vulnerable and address a number of impacts such as isolation, food, delivery, financial hardship and connectivity
Priority will also be given to the following:
· Applications involving organisations forming a collaborative with other organisations
· Applications from organisations operating with a volunteer base
Project materials and operating costs for organisations will be supported, including staff costs, volunteer expenses and transport costs. Equipment costs are also eligible, providing the items of equipment are directly linked to the project being proposed and relate to supporting individuals and groups impacted by Covid-19 (Coronavirus).
NB Funding will ONLY be available to groups based in the Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council area who meet the above criteria.