Grants up for grabs - apply now!
Community groups and voluntary organisations are being encouraged to apply for funding that is available now through various schemes run by Fenland District Council
YOUTH DISTRICT COUNCIL
The Youth District Council (YDC) still has £3,000 in its kitty to give away to youth groups or organisations working with young people. But people need to hurry to apply for it.
Each year the YDC has £10,000 to hand out. It is allocated on a first come, first served basis, so when it's gone, it's gone.
The YDC has just one meeting left before the end of March to decide where this year's remaining money should go.
Groups can apply for between £100 and £1,000 for anything from particular projects or new equipment to educational trips.
Among the grants that have been awarded this year are £575 to support activities for young people at the Chatteris Historic Festival and £350 to the Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets to help them complete their annual challenge awards and put on a meal for 60 local people.
The March and District Junior Model Railway Club got £500 for new parts and materials to build a new, more detailed track and help members learn how to design and build other layouts.
Varying amounts were also awarded to several youth clubs for new equipment.
Councillor Steve Garratt, FDC's portfolio holder responsible for the YDC, said: "The great thing about these particular grants is that all the decisions about how to spend the money are made by young people for young people. They know better than anyone what their age group wants and needs.
"So If you need some help with a particular project, apply straightaway - it would be a shame to miss out on money that is still available."
· To apply, call Ross McGivern at FDC on 01354 654321 or e-mail rmcgivern@fenland.gov.uk or by visiting http://www.fenland.gov.uk/article/3426/How-to-apply
COMMUNITY GRANTS
Young people from the Tydd St Giles Youth Club had the chance to try their hand on the decks at a recent DJ workshop organised by Fenland District Council.
Some are pictured with local DJ Stephen Calver, who came along to show them how it's done.
FDC is encouraging the group - and others like it - to put in bids to the council's Community Grants scheme to enable them to stage taster sessions for other activities.
The Community Grants scheme has £70,000 available for distribution to community and voluntary organisations for projects over the next year. They can apply for grants of up to £5,000.
Applications must be received by April 27 so that they can be fully assessed by a panel made up of FDC's Cabinet and a representative from Roddons. Funding will be allocated in August and projects are to run until April 1, 2013.
· For more details and application forms, call Hetty Thornton, FDC's senior community development officer, on 01354 654321 or email hthornton@fenland.gov.uk
RURAL CAPITAL FUND
A new £36,000 skate park is proving a big hit with young people in Parson Drove. It has been built on the village's playing fields with the help of an £18,655 grant from Fenland District Council's Rural Capital Fund, topped up with Section 106 money.
The skate park was highlighted as a priority need by the village's Amenities Group, which submitted the bid to FDC. Many more people are using the site as a direct result of the improvements.
The Rural Capital Fund provides grants to community groups for major projects such as new buildings or play equipment. It is aimed specifically at helping people who live outside the four market towns.
The money must be used for a project's capital funding rather than revenue. Groups can apply for grants of between £10,000 and £100,000.
· For full details about the fund and help in applying, call Hetty Thornton or Julie Randall in FDC's community support team or e-mail hthornton@fenland.gov.uk or jrandall@fenland.gov.uk .
