Organisations awarded six-figure community fund boost

Sporting Communities and Community Action Derby have been awarded hundreds of thousands of pounds from a community fund established by the East Midlands Combined County Authority.

Launched last year by East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward, the £3 million Community Development Fund supports 10 priority areas across the EMCCA region where communities face high levels of disadvantage and have limited numbers of local community and voluntary groups.

Years of reduced funding and support have made it harder for these areas to build and sustain the organisations they need to lead local solutions.

Community-led schemes in key areas have now each been awarded up to £300,000 to support projects designed to build skills, strengthen resilience and help residents shape the future of their own neighbourhoods.

Two priority areas in Derby will share more than £850,000.

In Normanton, two organisations have each been awarded more than £275,000.

Sporting Communities, which help residents learn, connect and feel safe, has been awarded £296,766 for Normanton Together, which will use Normanton Park as a hub to create inclusive spaces, while 176 Project Nile Scouts (Derby) have been awarded the same amount for their Scout Hut refurbishment project.

In neighbouring Arboretum, some £100,000 in match-funded grants will be distributed to more than 20 grassroots organisations.

Community Action Derby has been awarded £257,507 for Arboretum Matters, which also aims to set up three community-led investment panels and train 45 community leaders, increasing the sustainability and impact of the organisations.

Mayor Claire said: “I’m incredibly proud to announce the first projects supported by my Community Development Fund.

“This fund is about backing people who know their communities best.

“By investing in local ideas, local leadership and local ambition, we’re giving communities the tools and confidence to take control of their future. This is long-term investment in people, not short-term fixes.

“The aim of the fund is to support the communities which need it most, through backing community-led solutions to local challenges, strengthening pride in place and supporting safer, healthier and more inclusive neighbourhoods.

“It aims to help communities build skills and confidence so they can take a stronger role in shaping their future and share in the region’s growth.”