Don’t miss out on Community Project Grants – that’s the message from Uttlesford District Council to voluntary and community groups.

UDC wants to see a wide range of groups apply to its Community Project Grant Scheme.

Projects must be completed between 1 April 2007 and 7 March 2008.

The minimum grant available is £100 and the maximum is £3,500. Applicants applying for more than £1,000 must raise at least half of the total project cost. If applying for less than £1,000, the applicant must raise 25 per cent.

Grants will be made to properly constituted voluntary organisations or similar bodies such as village hall committees, community associations, community shops, town and parish councils, as well as play and recreation clubs and groups. 

Schools, churches or religious authorities, sports and arts groups are not eligible to apply.

Application forms will need to be fully completed and returned to UDC by 12 noon on Friday 27 April 2007. The district’s Area Panels will consider to decide how the money is spent,  with applicants advised by the end of June on the result of the process.

Grants will be considered for expenditure incurred in the provision of:

• land development for recreational purposes, including environmental improvements;
  
  
• community buildings/facilities eg village halls, community centres, public conveniences;
  
  
• car parks and their access roads directly associated with a community building;
  
  
• children’s play areas, including equipment and safety surfacing;
  
  
• training or a one-off staffing cost adding significant value to the project development or that increases benefit to the community (wages and salaries cannot be paid).