A grants scheme designed to develop stronger neighbourhoods in the City and wider London is looking for projects to fund.

The Stronger Communities fund, part of the City of London Corporation’s Central Grants Programme, also promotes community health and wellbeing initiatives and is now open for applications.

The City Corporation is a social landlord managing twelve housing estates across the City of London and six London boroughs*.

It is looking for applications from charities and voluntary organisations delivering projects anywhere in the City of London and on the housing estates it runs in wider London.

Grants issued through the Central Grants Programme’s ‘Stronger Communities’ theme will be awarded to projects enabling more people to become involved in their local neighbourhood - and encouraging a broader understanding of the diverse needs of these communities.

It will also support projects promoting and contributing to the health and wellbeing of communities.

The Central Grants Programme is a grants scheme supporting community, cultural, environmental, educational and employment projects in the Square Mile and wider London.

There are three other funding streams also still open for applications:

• Enjoying Green Spaces and the Natural Environment
• Inspiring London through Culture
• Education & Employment

The funding scheme is open to charitable and educational organisations, and for certain programmes and individuals.

The Central Grants Programme is administered by City Bridge Trust, the City of London Corporation’s charitable funder.

Alison Gowman, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s City Bridge Trust committee, said:

“In the world we live in today, with fast paced lifestyles and the rise of social media, it’s becoming harder and harder to bring neighbourhoods together and achieve a real sense of community.

“This programme is a great opportunity for community projects to really thrive and now’s the time to apply, to set a small bit of time aside to make potentially a huge difference.”

In March 2017 eight cultural projects were the first to be awarded funding through the Central Grants Programme. They were awarded a total of £47,332 through its ‘Inspiring London Through Culture’ round of funding.

The money went to a range or projects, from a unique Easter performance about the resurrection of Christ taking place at St Paul’s Cathedral, to the expansion of a family festival offering architecturally inspired activities and workshops in the Square Mile.

For further information on the programme please visit the Central Grants Website here https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/about-the-city/community-work/Pages/central-grants-programme.aspx

The City of London also has a new crowdfunding programme, Our Aldgate, to provide residents with support to improve their home town, be it through a public garden, a new local festival, or sprucing up a street with some public art. Projects crowdfunding may be eligible for up to £400k in additional funding. To find out more, sign up to this free evening workshop on 27th September.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

About the City of London Corporation:

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK.

See www.cityoflondon.gov.uk for more details.

*Six London Boroughs are Southwark, Islington, Lewisham, Bromley, Tower Hamlets and Hackney

Kristina Drake| Media Officer, Public Services

City of London Corporation

http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/newsroom

Kristina.Drake@cityoflondon.gov.uk

M: 07710860884

D: 020 7332 1125