Groups invited to apply for funding

County Durham community groups can now access an additional £1.2m of funding as part of a council scheme that brings together residents, councillors, businesses and partner organisations to improve community life.

Durham County Council runs 12 Local Networks across the county that drive community participation and support community-led projects, encouraging engagement and bringing improvements to these areas.

The key function of these networks is to establish new Local Network Action Plans (LNAPs), which will encourage wider locality working and more effective co-ordination and delivery of council and partnership activity, as well as influencing how Local Network funding is spent.

The grants are coming from the Local Network Fund, and hopes to help groups make a bigger impact with community projects. Applicants can apply for between £5,000 and £10,000, which can be used to support local groups and community projects.

The Local Networks are looking for applications that deliver projects that meet one or more of the following themes: 

• Community safety

• Employment, jobs and skills

• Health and wellbeing

• Environment and natural spaces

• Education and training

• Housing and physical infrastructure

• Culture, heritage and events

The council’s Local Networks will be open to applications until Wednesday 30 September, givingschools and organisations time to prepare and submit bids after the summer holidays.

Interested parties can request further information and an application pack by emailing localnetworks@durham.gov.uk. 

Cllr Dawn Bellingham, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for communities and civic resilience, said: “This extra funding is a fantastic opportunity for local groups and those looking to improve their community. We’re looking for applications that bring improved community safety, health and wellbeing, education and training, and more.

“This is a one-off process, and we’ll only be inviting applications for a limited time, so we’d encourage people to apply as soon as possible.” 

Overall, Local Networks will be making up to £1.2 million of funding available, £100,000 per Local Network, to groups and organisations across County Durham to help those who need it most. 

Community groups can find out more on funding by visiting www.durham.gov.uk/communityfunding.