AN EXCITING new funding opportunity for local community groups is to be launched next week.

The Let’s Create Commissioning Scheme will see groups in East Durham receive awards of between £500 and £4,500 for activities that help to engage people in arts and culture.

The scheme will be launched by the project hosts East Durham Trust at their meeting in Dawdon Youth and Community Centre, at 10am on Monday August 21.

Full details, including eligibility criteria and guidance on how to apply will be provided at the event.

The scheme is part of the Arts Council-funded East Durham Creates project, now in it’s second phase.

The first phase saw over 20 local groups receive funding to support activities from an arts exhibition in a pop-up shop to scarecrow festivals. Over 5,000 people were involved in arts activities.

East Durham Trust chief executive Malcolm Fallow said: “The Let’s Create funding opportunity is a great way of opening doors to people who want to get involved in Creative and Artistic activities, we are encouraging community groups to come forward with proposals.”

“We particularly welcome ideas that involve older people or families with children.”