<div dir="ltr"><div>Comic Relief’s Core Strength - <a href="http://www.comicrelief.com/apply-for-grants/open-grants-initiatives/core-strength-local-communities">Local Communities Grants programme</a> is now open for applications from small voluntary and community groups across the UK that need help with their basic running costs.<br></div><div><br></div><div>The 12-month programme, which is being administered by local <a href="http://www.ukcommunityfoundations.org/">community foundations</a> across the UK, is providing grants to help cover the day to day costs of small locally led and based voluntary and community sector groups that are doing ‘much needed’ work in their local communities. Eligible applicants will have an annual income of £100,000 or less and have been running activities for at least 12 months.</div><div><br></div><div>Grants of between £1,000 and £5,000 or between £1,000 and £10,000 (depending on the local community foundation) are intended for to support groups that can show a sustained beneficial impact on people’s lives who are excluded or disadvantaged whether this is through low income, rural or social isolation, age, disabilities, race, sexuality or gender.</div><div><br></div><div>Priority will be given to small, locally based groups or organisations in areas of disadvantage that have a clear understanding of the needs of their community and are undertaking actions to address these needs.</div><div><br></div><div>The work and main focus of the applicant organisation should fit one of Comic Relief's priorities, which are:</div><div><ul><li>Connected communities - seeking to improve inclusion and cohesion in communities.<br></li><li>Productive communities - investing in local residents to help them solve the issues they are facing using local people and resources.<br></li><li>Empowered communities - working to empower marginalised and disadvantaged communities.<br></li></ul></div><div>As this is expected to be a very competitive programme, priority will be given to groups:</div><div><ul><li>That are new to Comic Relief and/or Community Foundation funding.<br></li><li>Working in areas of high deprivation.<br></li><li>Working in geographically underfunded areas.<br></li><li>With lived experience, where people directly affected by the issues are involved in all levels of the organisation.<br></li><li>With innovative approaches, to respond to clearly defined need.<br></li><li>Demonstrating effective practice, with evidence that the methodology being used will be successful.<br></li></ul></div><div>Groups should visit their local <a href="http://www.ukcommunityfoundations.org/">Community Foundation</a> website to find out how to apply and the application deadlines. Each local Community Foundation will have different deadlines throughout the year.</div><div><br></div><div><b>Further information can be found on <a href="http://www.comicrelief.com/apply-for-grants/open-grants-initiatives/core-strength-local-communities">Comic Relief's website</a>.</b></div><div><br></div><div>\\</div><div><br></div><div><div class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div>Community Media Association</div><div>-- <br><a href="http://www.commedia.org.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.commedia.org.uk/</a><br><a href="http://twitter.com/community_media" target="_blank">http://twitter.com/community_media</a><br><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CommunityMediaAssociation" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/CommunityMediaAssociation</a><br><br>Canstream Internet Radio & Video<br><a href="http://www.canstream.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.canstream.co.uk/</a><br><a href="https://twitter.com/canstream" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/canstream</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
<div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><div style="color:rgb(136,136,136);font-size:12.8px"><b><font color="#0000ff" size="4"><a href="https://cma2017.eventbrite.co.uk/" target="_blank">Book now for the Community Media Conference, 23rd September, Bristol</a></font></b></div><div style="color:rgb(136,136,136);font-size:12.8px"><b><img src="cid:ii_j6xn2ixn0_15e2e37898eb482e" width="380" height="200" class="gmail-CToWUd gmail-a6T" tabindex="0"></b></div></div></div>