Putting Communities First

Crawley Borough Council has received £45,000 funding to support those communities identified as being most affected as a result of COVID-19.

Putting Communities First is a 12 month programme to ensure that Crawley-based communities are supported to deliver services that will:

  • Build the strength and resilience in your community group
  • Make sure any project is sustainable beyond the terms of the funding opportunity

Criteria for projects

Your project bid should consider the following:

Who it is helping

  • Young people and working age adults
  • People from ethnic minorities
  • Faith groups
  • People at increased occupational risk from Covid-19 such as health and care workers or people who are in close contact to others who are unable to work from home
  • People in Langley Green, Bewbush or Broadfield neighbourhoods
  • People with long-term health issues such as obesity, diabetes, mental health, heart health
  • People from gypsy and traveller communities
  • People from the LGBTQ+ community
  • Children who may be educationally disadvantaged, such as those who are unable to study at home
  • People with learning disabilities
  • Any community that has been disadvantaged by Covid-19

What it will achieve

Projects should consider the effects of Covid-19 and how it can improve:

  • Prevention messaging, particularly to young and working age people
  • Physical health and wellbeing
  • Mental health and wellbeing
  • The increased risks of coronavirus on communities with high cases of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and dementia
  • Reaching people who may otherwise be difficult to engage
  • Uptake of flu vaccine
  • Impact of poverty, housing and food insecurity
  • Impact on educational inequalities for young people
  • Reflect the Crawley Health Programme 2020 to 2024 priorities and principles

Funding Criteria

Ideally, your project should look at what is needed to support your group and local community as well as the delivery of your project outcomes.

If your project was looking at tackling obesity and diabetes in your community, consider how you can deliver multiple, long-term weight loss groups specific to your community needs.

Your project might be to train people within your community to become nutritional advisors who can deliver many weight loss groups as ongoing support.

Timing

Projects need to start no later than 1 April 2021.

The key dates are:

Date
Activity
30 November 2020
Putting Communities First will launch and be open to receiving funding requests
5 February 2021
Closing date for all bids
Week of 8 February 2021
Bids will be reviewed by a panel of key partner organisations
Week of 22 February 2021
All bidders will be informed if they have been successful or not
1 April 2021
Official project start date
June 2022
Final evaluation

Your questions answered

We are not a charity or large organisation can we still apply?

Yes – everyone is welcome to apply for the grant funding and support. As well as financial support, Putting Communities First will offer expert support and guidance throughout the project.

Can our group apply for more than one grant?

Yes

When do we need to submit the application?

The closing date for applications is Friday 5 February 2021.

When will we know if we are successful?

We will respond to all applicants by Monday 26 February 2021

Where or who will the money be paid to?

If your organisation has a bank account any funding can be paid directly. If you are a smaller community group or individual without a bank account funds can be held on your behalf by Crawley Borough Council.

We‘ve never written a bid before – can someone help us?

Yes – we are keen to make sure that support is given to grassroots community projects. Please contact us directly and we will be able to help.

How much money can we bid for?

You can request funding for your project up to a maximum of £5,000. There is no lower limit. If you only need a small amount of funding please complete an application form.

Can we make a request in partnership with another community group?

Yes

When is the start date of the project?

Your project should start no later than 1 April 2021.

When do we have to spend the money by?

All funding should be spent by April 2022 at the latest.

What reporting and updates will we have to supply?

You will need to submit quarterly reporting throughout the project year with a final evaluation – we can support you through this process.

Is there anything that we can’t use the money for?

We are unable to fund staff wages, existing running costs, vehicles or repayments.

Can we ask for funding for capital items (equipment?)

We will consider each case individually and may be willing to fund low value items (under £250) or consider contributing towards larger cost items.

What if we don’t spend all the money?

Any underspend will need to be repaid to Crawley Borough Council.

Our group already receives a Community Grant from Crawley Borough Council. Can we still apply for a Putting Communities First grant?

Yes

Contact us

For further information, help or support please email the team.

Putting Communities First is a partnership between Crawley Borough Council and West Sussex County Council.