The Charities Aid Foundation Grant Progarmme Building the capacity of the voluntary and community sector (VCS) is a ‘hot’ topic. A major driver is the government agenda to engage the VCS in the delivery of public services, and the subsequent development of a number of policies aimed at improving the capacity of the sector to do this. On the ground many small and medium sized organisations are facing a rapidly changing and increasingly competitive environment where funding is often harder to secure. As a result … Read more »
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Real Help for Communities: Volunteers, Charities and Social Enterprises
This Government action plan outlines how £42.5 million will support the third sector in the difficult economic climate. Meeting Demand for Services and Tackling Unemployment Up to £10 million investment in a volunteer brokerage scheme for unemployed people. This will create over 40,000 opportunities for people to learn new skills and give back to communities through volunteering. – From April 2009 A £15.5 million Community Resilience Fund will provide grant funding to small and medium providers in communities most at risk of increased deprivation due to the … Read more »
Supporting people through the recession
A report entitled ‘Backing communities: local solutions’ has been was sent to all local authority Chief Executives and Leaders. It highlights the many ways in which councils are working with local voluntary and community groups and third sector organisations in response to the recession. It also explores the challenges these organisations face in recession and the good practice that can be employed to minimise negative impacts on working relationships and local communities. The conclusion section of this report also sets out a number of current … Read more »
What is the voluntary sector doing about the Credit Crunch?
Many charities and not-for-profit groups in Cornwall are telling us they are being squeezed in two ways by the Credit Crunch. Firstly, they are seeing demand for their services increase, as some people’s personal circumstances change for the worse, for example due to redundancy or reduced hours. Secondly, the sources of income for voluntary and community groups are getting tighter. There is a threat to levels of donations, and increased competition for grants such as Lottery funding.
Bids sought for new Community Grants scheme
A total of £600,000 of European money is being made available to voluntary or charitable projects throughout Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to help disadvantaged or excluded people improve their job prospects. Funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) through the European Social Fund (ESF), the Community Grants programme aims to support small, not-for-profit organisations offering a range of activities to unemployed people aged sixteen and over. Those activities may include providing work experience, training advice and guidance, initial help with basic skills, … Read more »
Community empowerment gone mad?
Ann Hartley, Deputy Leader of Shropshire County Council, believes that by giving the community more power it makes it more difficult to deliver radical policies and gives too much influence to the ‘vociferous minority’. Do you agree? Post your comments and join the debate. http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageId=9440025
