Projects, Programmes and Partnerships

Comic Relief Local Communities programme

There are still many communities in the UK that suffer from economic and social deprivation and the current economic climate may make this situation worse.

For this reason, Comic Relief has decided that £4.5 million should be available to fund projects across the UK which are addressing these issues through a second phase of the ‘Local Communities’ programme.

Comic Relief is pleased to be working with the Community Foundation Network (CFN) and Community Foundations across the UK, to deliver this Local Communities programme.

The Community Foundation for Tyne and Wear and Northumberland is one of the delivery partners.

The Local Communities programme will run for two years and during this time, grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 will be available.

The programme aims to empower local people, enabling them to create lasting change in their communities.  Projects  should be run  by people directly affected by the issues they are dealing with and priority will be given to small, locally based groups or organisations in areas of disadvantage that have a clear understanding of the needs of their community.

Under the programme, organisations can apply for funding to:

• increase local services,
• build skills of local people,
• increase community cohesion
• respond to local economic needs
• increase access to sport and exercise for people who face social exclusion and isolation.

Organisations which have received a Community Cash grant or any other grant from a Community Foundation can apply for a Local Communities grant. However organisations which hold a grant directly from Comic Relief, can not apply for a Local Communities Grant.

A Local Communities grant must be at least 50% of the total cost of the project.

Who can apply?

• Community Groups
• Resident Associations
• Community Centres
• Social Enterprises/Community Interest Companies
• Credit Unions

Types of activities that might be funded

• Furniture Projects
• Projects providing access to benefits advice
• Projects combating fuel poverty
• Community consultation exercises
• Community employment projects
• Food Co-ops
• Running costs; including salaries, core costs and project costs
  • Committee and volunteer/staff training
  • Community sport activities

Exclusions

Grants will not be awarded to:

• individuals;
• statutory organisations, including schools;
• fund trips abroad;
• fund buses, mini buses or other community transport schemes (not including transport costs forming part of a project);
• fund building costs, including access adaptations to buildings;
• organisations which are in receipt of a grant directly from Comic Relief.

When can you apply?

We are open for applications from 02/01/12. The closing date is 12noon on 13/02/12

The next round will open on 13/08/12 and close on 24/09/12.

If you want to apply for a Local Communities Grant, click here.