CEC extends Covid-19 community response and recovery fund

Cheshire East Council has extended its community response and recovery fund to support local organisations through with grants up to £20,000.

The Covid-19 community response and recovery fund was launched to support not-for-profit organisations to adapt to new ways of offering support to communities.

Cllr Mick Warren, Cheshire East Council’s cabinet member for communities, said: “The council has so far provided £168,000 of funding to 47 organisations from food banks to mentoring programmes for students in need of emotional support during the pandemic.

“There is now a wealth of projects and local initiatives available to support our communities through these extremely challenging times.

“The council is still in a position to continue to fund projects that will have a high impact over the winter months and focus on supporting those organisations which can assist residents who are struggling to afford food and other essentials due to the economic impact caused by Covid-19.”

Not-for-profit organisations can apply for funding up to a maximum of £5,000 for local projects and services for both response and recovery-type applications, which meet local need.

Examples include but are not limited to:

* Food bank services
* Meal delivery Services
* Food distribution
* Lunch clubs
* Breakfast clubs
* Holiday hunger projects
* Fuel poverty
* Digital inclusion
* Providing support for people to access any other essential supplies

Applications will be considered up to £10,000 if organisations demonstrate a wide geographical footprint will be covered for the proposed project as well as connecting with other established related projects.

Applications will also be considered for grants up to £20,000 from organisations if a collaborative application from two or more organisations working together on the proposed project and that sustainability of the project can be demonstrated.

For information and to apply visit www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/communitygrant

Local charities and community organisations can apply for grants towards the cost of getting food and other essentials to those who need it the most by delivering essential Covid-19 related services.

Funding will be allocated where organisations can demonstrate a required need and where clear outcomes can be achieved.

The council aims to make funding decisions as quickly as possible on a rolling basis and will be providing this funding until early 2021.