19/11/2021 - Permalink

£15,000 grant scheme set to launch in bid to help community assets

Related topics: Community / Economic growth

A grant scheme is set to be launched by Shropshire Council in a bid to help protect community assets in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Community Asset Grant Scheme Pilot will bid to help the sustainability of some community assets which are vitally important in achieving post-pandemic recovery with grants of up to £15,000.

They could be community hubs, community-owned pubs, shops or other social venues.

Village halls and community sports facilities without access to other grant schemes or not previously supported with Shropshire Council’s Covid grant support may also be considered.

Mark Barrow, Shropshire Council’s Executive Director of Place and Economy, said:

This is a huge boost for communities across the county as we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic.

The pandemic impacted on everyone in one way or another and among the impacts are the challenges for community owned assets. Some have had to stay closed for a time, some have lost income due to reduced community activity or bookings, others may have faced challenges with changes in volunteer support and investment.

The impact of Covid-19 has prompted concerns over the sustainability of some community assets. These community services and buildings are vitally important in achieving post-pandemic recovery, re-building local social networks, and maintaining strong rural communities.

The pilot small grants scheme aims to contribute to the work community groups are doing to develop, rescue or sustain community-managed or owned assets.

To be eligible, applicants will need to be working towards the following:

  • Community feasibility studies and research into community asset ownership.
  • Running a community asset.
  • Renovating an asset or maintenance to bring an asset into community use
  • Equipping an asset and/or working to reduce environmental impact.
  • Preventing an asset from being lost (financial sustainability and business development)
  • Initiatives that increase use of an asset by the wider community or by other voluntary and community sector groups and organisations and not-for profit community businesses.

Successful applicants will need to demonstrate how the community is involved in the work, how the funded activity will support community use.

Applicants will be asked to set out how each proposed project will deliver social value (economic, social and environmental benefits) and further support community health and wellbeing as we continue to recover from the Coronavirus pandemic.

Full information and details on how to apply are available by clicking here.