Organisations developing initiatives to help unemployed people across Hereford are invited to claim a share of a £1.5 million pot of funding.
Grants worth between £5,000 and £20,000 are available from the European Social Fund (ESF) Community Grants scheme for projects that will help move unemployed people towards employment, training or back into education.
Funding totalling £500,000 has already been distributed to a number of third sector and small organisations as part of the scheme, which was first launched in January 2020.
However, Hereford-based employment and education charity Landau, which is managing the programme, has said there is plenty of cash left in the pot to support further initiatives aimed at helping the unemployed build a brighter future.
Sonia Roberts, CEO of Landau, said: “This is a great opportunity for small organisations to play their part in helping to transform people’s lives. Small and voluntary organisations have the potential to deliver targeted and effective support to those who need it most. We look forward to receiving applications over the coming months and seeing the positive impact of the programme in our local communities.”
Projects which have already benefited from the grants programme – commissioned by the Education and Skills Funding Agency – include Hereford Cycle Hub, The Cart Shed, Hereford Wildlife Trust and the Nationwide Community Learning Partnership which has a community mentor based in the town.
The scheme has won the support of Tricia Thomas, Herefordshire’s High Sheriff, who today urged more organisations to get involved and help build confidence and promote greater social integration amongst the unemployed.
She said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for organisations to receive funding for activities that will help transform people’s lives. I’ve been hearing from some that have already received grant funding through the scheme and they are now delivering some magnificent projects to support those who are currently out of work in our area. I’m looking forward to seeing where the rest of the funding is used across Hereford.”
Third sector and small organisations with a turnover of less than £8.5 million and employ fewer than 49 people are eligible to apply for a grant through the programme, which forms part of a multi-million-pound series of measures overseen by the Marches LEP to transform lives across Shropshire, Herefordshire and Telford & Wrekin.
The programme will run until December 2023 and for information on eligibility and funding criteria visit https://www.landau.co.uk/community-grants/.
A grants panel made up of representatives from key local stakeholders will help ensure that the funding reaches projects that can make a real difference to those who need it most.