Money for communities as council launches community fund

Launched this week, the 2011 community council fund provides grants of between £100 and £1,000 for community based projects. Applications are considered by the borough's eight community councils, which have £15,000 each for projects that will benefit the community.

Residents have until Monday 16 May to submit their request for funding to their community council (except for Walworth which is running one month later - see below).

Cllr Abdul Mohamed, cabinet member for citizenship, equalities and communities, said: "The great thing about this programme is that it enables local communities to make a real difference to where they live, a difference that they have requested. I'd encourage all residents from all community council areas to start thinking of ways they can get involved."

In the past, projects have ranged from cultural celebrations to providing equipment for local sports teams.

The scheme opens for applications this week, 4 April 2011. The deadline for applications is 16 May, when applications close.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Grants will be available from Walworth Community Council at a later date. The scheme is launched in that community council on 3 May 2011 with applications closing on 14 June 2011.

For more information and to apply go to the community council fund page.

Examples of projects from 2010/11

• Bermondsey - funding was allocated to 16 separate community groups, including recruitment events for the 1st St James Girl Guiding Unit and towards the Bermondsey Street area partnership festival.
• Camberwell - funding was allocated to 19 separate community groups including Elite over 50s Caribbean domino and social club for their anniversary party, and help towards room hire for an over fifties singing group, the Welcome Singers.
• Dulwich - funding was allocated to 23 separate community groups, including a day trip for the Croxted estate residents' association, and funding towards a special event to thank those working on a popular Dulwich website, Dulwich OnView
• Nunhead and Peckham Rye - funding was allocated to 26 separate community groups including help towards a fete hosted by Friends of Peckham Rye Park, and money towards a day for older people run by the Nunhead community Forum
• Peckham - funding was allocated to 17 separate community groups including a nine day stone carving festival in Peckham square and an education project at Bonar Road allotments.
• Rotherhithe - funding was allocated to 24 separate community groups including money towards a children's activity event at the Brunel Museum, and a community cohesion Christmas party at the Hawkestone estate
• Walworth - funding was allocated to 18 separate community groups, including money for a recycling project for the Latin American Disabled people's project and funding for an arts event in the Elephant and Castle
• Borough and Bankside - funding was allocated to 23 separate community groups, including money towards a memorial event for David Idowu, to raise safety awareness in young people, and a community fun day for the Applegarth House tenant management organisation.