New funding announced for voluntary and community groups

Local groups from the voluntary, not for profit and charitable sector are now able to apply for grant funding from  Voluntary and Community Grant Scheme.

The Rochdale Safer Communities Partnership is accepting applications to the scheme which distributes funding to local groups.

Applicants will need to demonstrate how their proposal contributes towards the Rochdale Safer Communities Partnership’s priorities. Applications will need to demonstrate that they will support communities to be:

• Free from the harm of domestic abuse and violence
• Free from the harm of organised crime and exploitation
• Safe from crime and anti-social behaviour
• Able to live, work, learn and socialise in harmony in their communities

Councillor Janet Emsley, the council’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods, community and culture, said: “It’s really important to work closely with our communities and partners to support everyone to feel safe in the borough.

“We are very pleased to be able to offer our community this exciting opportunity for another year and I encourage anyone who would like to make a difference to come forward and apply.” 

Last year the funding supported multiple projects including providing positive leadership opportunities to disadvantaged young people and delivering training which raised awareness of the harm caused by child criminal exploitation, honour based violence and forced marriage. 

Other projects supported allowed organisations to provide a safe and informal environment for women to access a range of holistic support and raised awareness of all forms of hate crime.

The grants have been devolved to the council for the 2019/20 financial year by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to encourage voluntary, not for profit and charitable groups to develop and deliver projects that support local priorities.

Applications will be considered by a panel and decisions will be made on the proposed projects against the criteria set, and must be submitted by a registered charity, or a constituted voluntary, community sector or not for profit organisation.

To apply and for more information visit:

• www.rochdale.gov.uk/communitygrants

If you have any questions email community.safety@rochdale.gov.uk or call 01706 924821.

Applications are now open and will close on Monday 8 July.