Hyndburn community cohesion grants available

Thursday, 19 December 2024 09:02

By Bill Jacobs

Voluntary, community and faith groups in an East Lancashire borough can now apply for small grants projects to tackle hate crime and divisive and extremist ideologies.

Hyndburn Council has been awarded £55,000 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to support community cohesion and resilience work.

This funding, part of the £2.5million Integrated Security Fund, is to provide support to local areas to bring communities together, strengthen social connections, and counter harmful narratives that drive divisions.

The authority is now inviting eligible voluntary and community organisations, including faith groups, to submit project proposals by January 8 for grants ranging from £2,000 to £15,000 per project.

Cllr Kimberley Whitehead, Hyndburn Council’s community cohesion and integration boss, said: “As a borough with a vibrant and diverse community, this funding grant is simply fantastic news for Hyndburn.

“Our voluntary and community network of organisations already do such important work toward making Hyndburn an inclusive and welcoming place to live, so these projects will no doubt support their operations and play a key role in promoting unity, understanding, and shared values around the borough.”

The successful projects will address themes such as improving community cohesion, tackling extremist ideologies that are driving communities apart in areas of the UK, and enhancing local partnerships to build community resilience.

The funding guidelines dictate that funds must be spent by 31 March 2025, with projects completing activities by this date.

All applications will be assessed based on their potential impact, accessibility, and ability to meet local needs.

For further details or to submit an application, please contact Stuart Sambrook at Hyndburn Borough Council at: stuart.sambrook@hyndburnbc.gov.uk