Members approved plans to establish a Stronger Communities Fund – a replacement for the former Community Empowerment Fund – to support Knowsley’s voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector to develop new project ideas, and to sustain and grow established activity.
Over the past five years, the Council has invested £1.2m into Knowsley’s voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector and this fund will particularly support groups helping families deal with the challenges brought by the current cost of living crisis.
The principles of the fund will also support the priorities in the Knowsley Council Plan, which has a clear vision of supporting ‘Knowsley’s People and Communities to thrive’ by providing effective support for those in need, inclusive growth and skills, and achieving Net Zero by 2040.
Who can apply?
Registered charities, constituted voluntary, community and faith organisations, community interest companies, community benefit societies, charitable incorporated organisations, and community amateur sports clubs who have been operating for at least 12 months and have a good track record of delivery.
The Council is also keen to support newly established organisations which can demonstrate that they have strong governance structures in place.
How much is available?
Grants of up to £2,000 and £10,000 are available. Organisations can apply for:
- One allocation of up to a maximum of £2,000 to support new organisations or new project ideas which require a small allocation of “seed” funding to enable the ideas to be launched and tested and,
- One allocation of up to a maximum of £10,000 for established organisations wishing to sustain activity or expand and extend current activity.
When can we apply?
The fund will be launched on 10 November with a closing date for applications midnight on 4 December 2022. Funding would be released from 2 March 2023.
Please visit the Knowsley Council’s website – www.knowsley.gov.uk/OnlineFundingPortal – and complete an online application form.
There will also be a series of online workshops available for groups/organisations to talk through the application process, if required. These will take place via MS Teams on:
Wednesday 16 November 2022: 9.30am – 10.30am
Wednesday 23 November 2022: 9.30am – 10.30am
Wednesday 30 November 2022: 9.30am – 10.30am
To book onto a session, please email stronger.communities@knowsley.gov.uk