ORGANISATIONS in County Durham can apply to use funds from two grants to help their local community.

Voluntary and community-based groups in the area covered by the East Durham Rural Corridor Area Action Partnership (AAP) have until Friday 2 August to complete an expression of interest for a Youth Fund Small Grant, and until Thursday 8 August for the Capital Small Grants Fund.

AAP Coordinator for East Durham Rural Corridor, Jane Bellis said: “We’re delighted to have two pots of money which we can allocate to improve the lives of local people in our area, with £24,000 to give away through our Capital Small Grants Fund and a further £9,900 to award through our Youth Fund Small Grants.

“In 2019/20, we’re focussing our work on three main priorities, children, young people, and families, older people and improving health and wellbeing. We really want to hear from groups which could run initiatives which will help us with this.”

Groups can apply for between £1,000 and £3,000 through the Youth Fund Small Grants for projects which will improve the social and emotional capabilities of young people aged 11 to 19, or up to age 25 for young people with special educational needs or a disability. Grants of between £1,000 and £6,000 are available to support capital projects which will improve the lives of people within the area via the Capital Small Grants Fund.

Both funds are open to not for profit organisations in Sedgefield, Bowburn, Cassop, Quarrington Hill, Kelloe, Coxhoe, Deaf Hill/ Trimdon Station, Trimdon Colliery, Trimdon Grange, Trimdon Village, Fishburn, Bradbury and Mordon, including voluntary and community sector organisations, faith-based groups, sports clubs and school projects. Parish and town councils are eligible to apply for a Youth Fund Small Grant but cannot be considered through the Capital Small Grants Fund.

AAP’s were introduced in County Durham in 2009 as part of the reorganisation of local government. There are 14 Partnerships covering all areas of the County.

The AAPs bring together local people, Councillors and partners to set local priorities and explore ways to take action to address these priorities.

People can get involved in the AAPs through the AAP Forum and are also welcome to observe AAP Board meetings and take part where relevant.

If you would like to join the East Durham Rural Corridor AAP’s Forum contact the office on 03000 261128 or email eastdurhamruralaap@durham.gov.uk. Alternatively you can follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/edrcaap. Future funding opportunities are circulated to all Forum members and are also posted on Facebook along with forthcoming Board Meetings and other useful information.

For further information about either fund, including eligibility criteria, or to request an expression of interest form, organisations can contact the East Durham Rural Corridor AAP Team by telephoning 03000 261129/ 261128, or emailing eastdurhamruralaap@durham.gov.uk.