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UK: New grant programme for rural communities
A new grant programme has been launched in the UK to actively promote and support community-led initiatives in rural areas has been launched.
The £825,000 programme, entitled Strengthening Rural Communities Across the North West, is funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). It has been developed to support vital community-led initiatives in the North West of England such as village shops and care services, and to improve the infrastructure of vulnerable rural communities.
It aims to make a significant and sustainable contribution towards improving the provision of essential rural services and increasing economic productivity throughout the area. It?s being funded by the NWDA and managed by Plunkett in conjunction with the North West Rural Community Councils.
Through the programme two funds – the Community Initiative Fund and the Community Enterprise Fund – will be available to award small grants to projects as diverse as creating IT facilities in a village hall, ensuring better access to good, fresh food in a local school, or developing invaluable financial services for the vulnerable. In addition to the grants, expert advisory support will also be available to ensure the smooth-running of the projects.
Bryan Gray, NWDA Chairman, said: ?Social enterprises are becoming increasingly important to the economy and social fabric of rural areas and the Strengthening Rural Communities programme will make significant progress in securing local employment opportunities as well as helping to foster a sense of pride across rural communities.?
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