Grants of up to £50,000 are up for grabs for voluntary and community groups across Gedling borough.
Nottinghamshire County Council are inviting groups to apply for cash from a new funding stream set up to support grassroots projects throughout the area.
The Local Improvement Scheme 2018-21 was launched after councillors agreed to create a new, simpler way for local groups to access financial support for local schemes that contribute towards making Nottinghamshire a great place to live, work and visit.
Councillor Kay Cutts, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “The County Council has a strong and proud track record of supporting community and voluntary groups in delivering valuable work – helping people to help themselves and enhance people’s pride of place in Nottinghamshire as a great place to live, work, visit and relax.
“The new Local Improvement Scheme brings together several previous funding schemes into one, allowing us to allocate funding in a more co-ordinated way, simplifying the process and reducing administration to ensure the maximum resource is available to make a real difference in our communities.
One group to benefit from the fund so far is Friends of Gedling Country Park. Nottinghamshire County Council awarded the group £18,425 in capital funding back in April to create a permanent piece of art in the new memorial garden at Gedling Country Park.
Terry Lock, chair of the Friends of Gedling Country Park, said: “The memorial garden is an important project for us and our volunteers have been working hard to ensure it will be a place where all visitors feel welcome. Without the funding from Nottinghamshire County Council, this project may not have been possible.
“The local artist commissioned for the sculpture work visited local schools such as Lambley Primary and Christ the King secondary in Arnold to talk to pupils about how this artwork should look. It has really captured the imagination of local people of all ages and helped them learn new skills.
“It will be a real asset for the Country Park and leave a lasting legacy for the local children who have been involved in the project – something for them and their families to proudly reflect on.”
Full Local Improvement Scheme eligibity criteria and details of how to apply are available on the website.
The closing date for this round of funding is January 8, 2018.
Groups can apply for the funding now at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/lis
