Essex County Council opens applications for new Community Challenge fund!

Date: 17-05-2022

Funding is now available from Essex County Council for a new Community Challenge Fund, to enable direct investment in our local communities. 

Sometimes it only takes a small amount of money to bring to life a good idea and the new fund is designed to help exactly that.  With a simple and quick application and decision process, bids will be awarded to small scale projects between the value of £300- £2,000 to fund a new, not for profit scheme, group, initiative or idea. 

The funds will support local people to connect and give them the power to make a real difference in improving their own neighbourhoods

Ideas might include setting up a food growing initiative in the local community to create a garden and social space, or perhaps creating an informal childcare club of likeminded parents in the local library. Or money might be needed for training and equipment to share skills; printing for a local event or newsletter; hosting and promoting an online magazine for young people; setting up a local community seed exchange; providing taxi or licenced hire vehicles to bring isolated residents together or maybe setting up a clothes swap in the village hall.

Applications are open now and are the fund is specifically targeted at communities in the identified levelling up areas of Clacton, Harwich, Canvey, Harlow, Rural Braintree and parts of Colchester and Basildon.

Applications can be made via www.essexfuture.org.uk/boards-networks/communities-mission-network/community-challenge-fund-applications