The Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is seeking applications for the Community Development Support Grant Program to support, promote and develop the capacity of communities by providing financial assistance towards running costs of core community development organizations.

The purpose of the Community Development Grant Programme is to provide financial support to community and voluntary groups within the Causeway Coast and Glen’s area to contribute towards their core costs, in order to allow the organizations the freedom to explore specific project funding from other Council funds or external funding sources.

The Community Development Grant Programme will provide grants to support promote and develop the capacity of communities across Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council by providing financial assistance towards running costs and activity costs of projects that meet the above outcomes.

Funding Information

There are 2 levels of grants available within the Community Development Support Grant Programme for 2021-22:

• Community Development groups with premises: £2,000
• Community Development groups without premises: £1,000
• Up to 75% of total costs can be applied for

Who Can Apply?

Organizations must be from within the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area. To be eligible for grant-aid, you will have to show that your organization is a bona fide organization that is well run and that it:

• Has a properly adopted “Governing Document” such as a constitution or memorandum and articles of association which clearly show that it is non-profit making and taking. Evidence that a constitution has been formally adopted must be supplied.
• For the purposes of this programme only organizations that are open, accountable and representative of the geographical area in which they service, promote and support Community Development can apply.
• Groups must be multi-purpose, providing or hosting a number of different activities and services for the benefit and to meet identified needs of their whole community, not just for a specific group and/or single issue within that community.
• Groups must demonstrate that they are well run, that they provide a voice for local concerns, are inclusive and have activities open to the whole community, adhere to democratic principles, encourage people to become active and involved in their community, meet local needs and provide local services and are working in partnership with others.
• Eligible organizations will be those that are incorporated to provide programmes and offer services aimed at improving the social, economic and/or environmental situation of a certain locality i.e. housing estate, village, town or district. This may include Community Associations, Residents’ Groups, Town or Village Committees or similar.

Only groups which meet these criteria can apply to the Community Development Support Grant Programme. If an organization is satisfied that it is an eligible Community Development Organization as outlined above, it MUST be in a position to meet the following criteria:

• Be based in the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area or have their main activities based in the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area.
• Be committed to Equal Opportunities in terms of organizational policies and the delivery of services to those being served or represented.
• Have a constitution / governing document that have been adopted at a public meeting showing clearly defined purposes that are for the public benefit in line with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.
• Be non-party political and open to the full range of local opinion.
• Be able to demonstrate a fair and equitable ethos through established aims and objectives in accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998).
• Be able without prejudice to the obligations of Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), to demonstrate regard to the desirability of promoting Good Relations between persons of different religious belief, political belief, political opinion or racial group.
• Have membership open to all those residing in the area that they seek to represent, regardless of ethnic origin, gender, religious or political belief.
• Be accountable to local people through an established constitution, open membership, committee elections, accounting procedures and Annual General Meetings. The Office Bearing positions of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer should be held as a minimum.
• Have appropriate and adequate insurance cover for all activities and all actions proceeding such as costs, claims, demands and liabilities whatsoever, arising from all or any of the group activities. To also ensure that any individuals or organizations worked with are properly insured
• Ensure that all group activities abide by the law and that the necessary permissions are obtained for activities from the appropriate body/authority.
• Ensure that Child Protection Policy / Vulnerable Adults Policy and Procedures are in place and adhered to as and where appropriate. · Have a bank/building society account and keep a proper record of group accounts.
• Be able to produce an annual statement of independently audited or certified accounts, or be able to present a bank statement in the case of newly established groups.
• Have arrangements in place for dispersing the group’s funds if they dissolve/ end.
• Be able to demonstrate that the group works closely with other organizations in the same area / neighborhood to avoid duplication of activities.
• Agree to Causeway Coast and Glens Council's promotion, monitoring, evaluation, and training procedures as required.

For more information, visit Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.