Bumper Interest From Groups And Organisations In District Community Grants Scheme

Community groups and organisations across the district are set to benefit from more than £23,000 funding from Dover District Council in a record breaking round of the Neighbourhood Forum Community Grants Scheme. 

More organisations than ever before applied for grant funding from the scheme, including some new ‘start up’ community groups. Funding totalling £23,500 was allocated to 32 different community groups across the district.  The funding was allocated by the Grants Appraisal Panel, which is made up of the District Councillors who chair the five Neighbourhood Forum areas. 

Groups were invited to apply for funding for projects that could show benefit to the local community. Grants were available for up to £1,000 in each of the five Neighbourhood Forum areas, (Deal & Walmer, Dover North, Dover Town, Dover West, and Sandwich & Area). 

Successful groups chosen include: Deal, Walmer & Kingsdown Amateur Rowing Club; Aylesham4Aylesham; Blackfish Academy for the Performing Arts; Coldred Forum; and Eastry Ravens Football Club. 

Cllr MJ Holloway, DDC Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “This is the best ever level of interest we’ve had in the scheme, which demonstrates its success and the impact that it has across the district.  Many of the bids were of outstanding quality and clearly a lot of hard work went into all the applications that were submitted.  This year’s scheme has been highly competitive, making it tough for the panel to decide.  We have been able to provide grants to help 32 different groups, including amateur sports and support for the vulnerable and disadvantaged, covering all age groups reaching all four corners of the district. 

 “This has truly been a record breaking year for the Community Grants Scheme, and we look forward to seeing such a diverse group of projects making their proposals a reality over the coming weeks and months.” 

For further information, please email neighbourhoodforums@dover.gov.uk. For the latest news on funding opportunities, sign up for updates with our Keep Me Posted email alert service.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

DDC Community Grants 2018-19