Council grant funding to support local community - Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands

Community groups and organisations are being encouraged to apply now for Argyll and Bute Council’s Third Sector Grants for 2013/14. The closing date to return completed application forms for a decision at the April Area Committee meetings is Friday 1 February 2012. The Third Sector Grants programme is aimed at supporting communities and vulnerable people, and helping to kick start new projects and events. A total of 130 community groups and organisations across Argyll and Bute benefited from the council’s £140,000 Third Sector Grants programme in 2012. The £35,000 grant funding allocated to Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands supported 41 groups and organisations in the area this year, including ArtMap Argyll, Tarbert & Skipness Community Trust, Jura Care Centre, Islay & Jura Youth Action, Kintyre Writers’ Circle and Mid Argyll Triathlon Club. Lesley Burr, from ArtMap Argyll, said, “The colouring Ardrishaig art project has allowed us to more than fulfil our project aims. The four artists have involved over 350 people making artwork, established the Blue Dot as a transferable project model and created innovative solutions for the public toilets on the seafront. Proposals are planned for a more ambitious phase 2.” Councillor Louise Glen-Lee, Lead Councillor for Community, Culture, Customer and Communication, said, “The council has been awarding grants to local groups and organisations for many years and we all benefit from the tremendous work these groups, organisations and volunteers do in our communities. “Small voluntary and community groups are a vital part of the fabric of our local communities and they play a key role in understanding and addressing local needs.” The council is keen to encourage new groups with fresh ideas to apply for the grants. Advice and support on funding is available from the council’s Community Development and Social Enterprise teams. Subject to funding being available in 2013, applications are considered twice a year at local Area Committees in April and August. The applications forms are available from local area community learning offices or can be accessed using the following link: www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/council-and-government/third-sector-grants. For further information or guidance please phone 01546 604189 or email communitydevelopment@argyll-bute.gov.uk