Funding Fair To Launch Community Projects
Following the announcement that £393,378 of Leader funding will be available for projects in The Highland Council's Dingwall and Seaforth Ward over the next 3 years, a special Funding Fair will take place in Dingwall Town Hall on Friday 22 May to give people the chance to come along and find out how they can get support and money for their community projects.
Running from 1pm until 6pm , the fair will have experts on hand to give help and advice on how to apply for the fund and will have displays and information from other funders that could help provide match funding. Practical help will also be on offer to fill out application forms.
Ward Manager Liz Cowie said the Fair has been organised to provide a kick start for the campaign to get local groups to apply for funds. “We want to encourage as many people as possible to take this opportunity to come along and find out how the Leader money can really help to make things happen. There is a huge potential for local groups to really make a difference and see ideas for a wide range of projects to become a reality. The Funding Fair, which is free to attend, will have people on hand who can give lots of very useful professional and practical advice and so anyone interested is welcome to come along anytime between 1pm and 6pm on Friday.”
LEADER grants up to 45% of eligible project costs and the minimum grant award is £1,000. Awards will be determined by the Local Area Partnership, the Dingwall and Seaforth Development Partnership. The partnership is made up of both public and private sector volunteers, with the emphasis very much on the private sector side.
Councillor Peter Cairns, who is the Chair of the local LEADER Area Partnership said: “This injection of European money can make a real difference and our job now is to encourage communities to put forward applications and make the most of this opportunity. No one should be put off applying by worrying about match funding or completing the actual application form as during the Fair experts will be available to give plenty of free advice. Some groups might already have worked up ideas and others might be at the early stages but everyone is invited to come along and make the most of this chance.”
For information on the Launch and Funding Workshop, contact Liz Cowie, Ward Manager on 01349 868681. Information about the LEADER programme can be found by visiting the website www.highlandleader.com or by contacting the local LEADER Development Officer on 07920 543719.