Farron calls on Morecambe Bay communities to put themselves forward for coastal fund
Following a successful second year, coastal communities across the United Kingdom are getting another chance to receive a multi-million pound boost from the Coastal Communities Fund (CCF). South Lakes MP Tim Farron has called on community groups and councils around Morecambe Bay to put themselves forward for funding.
The UK Government has recently confirmed that the CCF programme will be extended to the end of the 2016/17 financial year. Round three will combine the budgets for this period, to give an increased pot and encourage more ambitious use of CCF funds. In Round three we will be looking to support fully-developed projects that are able to spend all their CCF funding before 31 December 2016.
CCF is a UK-wide programme and the single outcome is that "coastal communities will experience regeneration and economic growth through projects that directly or indirectly create sustainable jobs, and safeguard existing jobs".
Grants of £50,000 and over are available. The following types of organisation can apply:
- local authorities
- development agencies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- local enterprise partnerships in England
- other public sector bodies
- charities
- voluntary and community sector organisations
- social enterprises, including cooperatives and community ownership initiatives
- private sector companies
The third round of CCF opened on 7 March 2014. At this time we are inviting stage one applications. The deadline for stage one applications is midday on 30 April 2014. To apply forms can be found here: http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/global-content/programmes/uk-wide/coastal-communities
Tim said: "I am encouraging community groups, councils and businesses to put themselves forward for funding. These grants could make a big difference to local communities around the Morecambe Bay. The money could support local business, create apprenticeships and provide funds to improve infrastructure in our area."