Mid and East Antrim Borough Council: Community Grants Scheme

Overview

All investment by council to the community and voluntary sector through the various grant schemes and bursaries outlined within this Scheme must illustrate and evidence alignment with the Community and Corporate Plan.

Who can apply?

To qualify for a grant under this Scheme, applicants must:

• Be a formally constituted Community Organisations/Group in good standing with the Charity Commission of NI and be based in the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area.

Please note the organisations fitting the above description, but NOT based in Mid and East Antrim Borough can apply to the Events Category ONLY, and must demonstrate that the activity provides a clear and direct benefit to the Mid and East Borough and its citizens.

Grants for Groups

New Community Projects

N.B. only new projects will be eligible for funding through this category.

These projects/programmes must demonstrate long-term additionality to the group and Borough. Projects/programmes must also be
innovative and directly address at least one of the stated priorities within the Community Plan.

• 75% (of total costs) up to a maximum of £1,000
• This can be applied for in addition to the permitted 2 grants per year.

Public Liability Insurance

• 75% (of total costs) up to a maximum of £300
• Financial assistance is available for groups in obtaining either annual or ad hoc Public Liability Insurance.

Equipment

• 75% (of total costs) up to a maximum of £1,000
• Grants will be considered for the purchase of items of non-capital equipment that will promote and develop the work being carried out by locally based groups.

Village Christmas Lights

• 100% funding up to a maximum of £1,500 for Large Villages (Population greater than 1000)
• 100% funding up to a maximum of £750 for Small Villages (Population less than 1000)
• Groups who manage the Village Christmas Lights in a number of different villages where no constituted community group currently exists and who can demonstrate a previous working relationship in those villages may apply for the relevant additional funding per village up to a maximum of three villages (£4,500 maximum for large villages; £2,250 maximum for small villages).
• Funding is subject to Northern Ireland Electricity approval, Road Service licensing, Competency Certification and appropriate Public Liability Insurance.

Other Distinctive Projects

• Council, at its discretion, may consider grants for any project within its remit not covered by this scheme.
• 75% funding up to a maximum of £750 for project activity inside the Borough or;
• 75% funding up to a maximum of £500 for projects outside the Borough) Council, at its discretion, may consider grants for any projectwithin its remit not covered by this scheme.

Civic Representation

• 100% (of total costs) up to a maximum of £1,600 (£400 per person attending for the group).
• A group is defined as anything over and above 2 persons attending the same event.
• Grants will be considered to give special recognition and support to individuals within the Council area who will act as ambassadors for Mid and East Antrim in their chosen activity.
• To be eligible under this category, applicants must be actively competing or participating at least at Ulster Level in a one-off event.
• Applicants must demonstrate that they have participated in a selection process which has identified their suitability to represent at the required level.
• Funding will be restricted to expenses incurred for accommodation and travel only (funding for personal fuel receipts will be capped at £100)
• Residential courses and training associated with the civic representation project are not eligible for funding.
• Only individuals actively participating or competing in the event or coaches for those actively participating or competing in the event will be eligible for funding.
• Governing Bodies must provide written evidence to confirm competing or representing at least at Ulster Level.

Developmental Projects and Training

• (75% funding up to £1,000 for groups).
• Grants will be considered to help groups undertake appropriate projects or training which will further the objectives of the organisation or build towards developing it in terms of first aid, coaching, capacity building, sustainability and governance.
• Groups may be required to work with Council Officers to identify the objectives and outcomes to be achieved by the project or training.
• Courses that result in a vocational qualification are not eligible.