Community Development Strategy
Council provides a range of support to community and voluntary organisations in the form of training programmes and tailored support with financial assistance from the Department for Communities through its Community Support Programme. This can include support with developing projects, community engagement, sourcing and applying for funding, governance, operating community facilities and running community festivals.
Council's Community Development Strategy has been developed by engaging with and listening to a wide range of stakeholders to help us understand the needs and emerging issues in our communities and to shape the support we provide. Through our Community Development Strategy we aim to strengthen local communities, increase community participation and promote social inclusion.
Community Grants
We offer the following grants to support community development activity:
Community Development Support Grant Programme
- financial assistance towards running costs of core community development organisations, with 3 levels of award ranging from £1,250 to £3,500.
Social Connections Grant Programme
- small grants for local community and voluntary organisations that are involved in activities that encourage people, particularly those that are socially isolated, to participate in social and recreational activities in our communities. Grants of £500 are available.
Community Festivals Fund
- to support the capacity of communities to host community festival events.. Three levels of grant award are available depending on the length of the festival and these range from £750 to £3,000.
For a full range of the Council grants that are available for community and voluntary organisations please click here.
Community Festivals
We've produced A Guide for the Planning & Organisation of Community Festivals, Tourism and Other Events aimed at assisting groups who are organising community festivals and other events. The latest version, updated in April 2022, to take account of the latest legislation, includes practical information and advice on permissions, licences, food safety, marketing, dealing with the media, risk assessments (including Covid-19) and a whole range of other issues to ensure your event is well organised and managed.