Barrow’s community groups and organisations can apply for a share of £2.8 million.
Team Barrow, the public-private partnership between the Government, Westmorland and Furness Council and BAE Systems, is offering to support organisations which help the area’s communities.
The money, which is part of the £5m Social Impact Fund launched earlier in the year, will see £700,000 awarded annually for the next four years via the Strategic Priorities Fund.
The idea has been co-designed by representatives from local voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations with the money aimed at helping and supporting those most in need, by providing greater financial stability and resilience in the town.
Carolyn Otley, chief executive of Cumbria CVS and sponsor of Team Barrow’s Community and Social Impact workstream, said: “We’ve got many fantastic voluntary and community groups in Barrow, but we know they often struggle to find the funding to try out the new approaches that will really make a difference to local people, alongside continuing their existing work.
“We hope this new fund will generate some exciting project ideas, and that the money will help to build the long-term sustainability of the groups that we’re able to support.”
The fund is now open, and organisations are invited to apply.
Proposals need to align with one or more of the following fund priorities:
- A focus on early intervention and/or prevention
- A focus on children, young people and families to address intergenerational challenges
- Help people towards and into work, training and volunteering
- Improving health and wellbeing
- Reducing deprivation and poverty
Support sessions to help develop initial expressions of interest will take place on:
- Wednesday September 24 from 1.30pm to 2.30pm at The Bridge, in Portland Walk
- Thursday September 25, from 1.30pm to 2.30pm at The Bridge, in Portland Walk
The deadline to submit an expression of interest is noon on Monday October 20, with applicants hearing more in November.
Successful applicants will be invited to take part in a second application phase.
Expression of interest forms can be download at www.barrowrising.uk and should be returned to [email protected]
Earlier this year, Team Barrow – a partnership involving central Government, Westmorland and Furness Council and BAE Systems – launched its £5m Social Impact Fund.
