Groups to benefit from community cash

HairBall101 · Site Admin Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 4

Projects to enhance the quality of life in Barnet will soon be benefiting from thousands of pounds in grant funding from Barnet's Local Strategic Partnership (LSP).

The LSP has nearly £470,000 of Neighbourhood Renewal Funding (NRF) cash to distribute to statutory organisations like the council or Primary Care Trust (PCT), or voluntary and community groups, who have ideas to improve the more deprived areas of the borough.

LSP chiefs are hoping to receive proposals for projects costing upwards of £50,000 but will also consider smaller bids. NRF money is specifically aimed at narrowing the gap between the most deprived areas and the rest of the UK.

This year, the emphasis is on those projects which will have a significant impact on children and young people, and preferably involve young people in their design and delivery.

This round of funding comes just five months after the LSP distributed just over £120,000 of NRF money to 14 community groups, for mainly environmentally-themed projects.

Councillor Mike Freer, Chairman of the LSP Executive and Leader of Barnet Council, said: "Nearly half a million pounds is available for projects to improve the quality of life in Barnet – which is great news for people living, working in and visiting the borough.

"We want to help deliver some lasting and sustainable projects which will make a real difference to people in Barnet – especially the younger generation."

Anyone interested in applying needs to contact Noreen Twomey at Barnet Council on 020 8359 7646 or e-mail noreen.twomey@barnet.gov.uk. The closing date for entries is May 11, and proposed projects should be completed by March 31, 2008.

For more info: http://www.barnet.gov.uk/press_releases.htm?id=1546