Two weeks left to apply for Our Community, Our Future grants

There’s just over two weeks left for local groups to apply for funding for projects that will help to break down barriers between people from different backgrounds.

The Our Community, Our Future grants are on offer to groups and organisations in Blackburn with Darwen with ideas for projects that will get people coming together, helping to build a stronger borough.

Grants of up to £2,000 are available – groups can bid for the amount they need to run their project.

Eligible projects will help to build more resilient and inclusive communities in a number of ways, such as through health and wellbeing, or activities with an environmental focus.

The grants will be provided through Blackburn with Darwen’s government-funded social integration programme, Our Community, Our Future.

Groups and organisations from the voluntary, community and faith sector can apply, as well as charities, groups such as scouts and guides, and schools.

Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed project can support integration by bringing people from diverse backgrounds together, and must also show how it can be sustainable without further funding.

Joint applications from groups working together are welcomed. Individuals with ideas for projects should approach a group to submit a bid together, or contact the Our Community, Our Future team for help.

Successful applicants will be paired up with other groups from different parts of the borough who are also awarded Our Community, Our Future grants, to support one another and share learning throughout their projects.

All projects must be delivered by 31 March 2020.

The closing date for applications is Friday 6 September. All the information groups need to apply and an online application form is available on the Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council website.

Councillor Mohammed Khan, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said:

Local groups and organisations have well established networks and excellent knowledge of their neighbourhoods. They are in a prime position to lead their local communities in activities that complement our social integration work, and these grants offer support to them to set up new projects or extend existing projects into new areas.

We’ve already had a great deal of interest from a variety of groups – that’s been really pleasing to see.

Our social integration team can support anyone who needs help submitting their application. And if any individuals not connected to groups have ideas for projects, the team may be able to put them in touch with a suitable group to work with.

The Our Community, Our Future grants are provided through the Our Community, Our Future social integration programme for Blackburn with Darwen, which is funded by the Ministry for Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG).

You can find details of the grants and apply online through the Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council website.

The deadline for Our Community, Our Future grant applications is Friday 6 September.

All applications will be considered in mid September, and successful groups and organisations will be contacted by the end of September.

Anyone with questions about the Our Community, Our Future grants fund, or who needs help completing their application, can contact the Council’s social integration programme team on 01254 304597 or integration@blackburn.gov.uk.

Hard copies of the application form and supporting documents can be requested through the social integration programme team.

Blackburn with Darwen is one of five national Integration Areas, places working closely with MHCLG on a programme to address social integration challenges through innovation. Find out more on the Council website.