Funding boost for community groups

A new grants scheme looks sets to be launched by Erewash Borough Council which will see community groups able to apply for a share of £80,000 of funding.

The Community Grants scheme is just one of a number of Shared Prosperity Fund – Investing in our Communities projects that will be launched over the next two years. The projects have been made possible following a successful bid to the Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund. Council Executive approved receipt of the £2.8m Shared Prosperity Fund funding pot at a meeting on 21st February. 

The community grants scheme, which will go ahead later this year, would aim to fund at least 24 Erewash-based organisations and increase community engagement in the borough. Groups will be able to apply for a share of £40,000 per year over two years.  Council Executive is set to approve a new grants policy in June. 

Councillor Paul Maginnis, Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “I am delighted that community groups in Erewash look set to benefit from the Community Grants project. The council’s grant schemes have already helped many groups to pay for items that enable them to carry on the good work they do and this will hopefully encourage more groups to do the same.”

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.