Knowsley Council’s Cabinet has formally agreed to the launch of the 2024/2025 Stronger Communities Fund.
This follows the Council making a £250,000 investment into the fund at its budget meeting earlier this year.
The Stronger Communities Fund is an important initiative enabling the Council to support Knowsley’s voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector (VCFSE). The principles of the fund will again support the priorities in the Knowsley Council Plan, which has a clear vision of supporting ‘Knowsley’s People and Communities to thrive’ by providing effective support for those in need, inclusive growth and skills, and achieving Net Zero by 2040.
The 2024/2025 fund would continue to enable community groups to initiate projects and activities supporting residents deep within the local community.
Priority will be given to projects which support the Council’s Early Intervention and Prevention agenda, helping people into employment. As the cost of living continues to impact on Knowsley’s residents, it is anticipated that the Stronger Communities Fund 2024/25 will again support community organisations to develop projects with this focus.
Grants of up to £2,000 and £10,000 will be available and organisations will only be able to apply for one allocation.
New organisations or existing organisations launching new projects can make applications for grants of up to £2,000. Applications for grants up to £10,000 must be made by established organisations wishing to sustain activity or expand/extend current activity.
Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council, said: “Our voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector play a vital role in supporting residents across our borough, and I know that additional funding support such as this will be welcomed. Especially with the ongoing cost of living crisis.
“Over the past seven years, the fund had invested £1.79m into the sector, and this has enabled numerous organisations to grow and support our residents. I believe this demonstrates our continued commitment to enabling the sector to support our communities and work in partnership to achieve the objectives outlined in The Knowsley Council Plan.”
The window for grant applications will open on 19 July until 16 August with funding to successful applicants to be approved by Cabinet in December.
Full details of the application process will be released shortly.
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