Communities encouraged to apply for Local Partnership funding before May deadline

Communities are being urged to help shape their area by applying for a grant from their Local Partnership.

Applications for funding from the Local Partnerships, which replaced Renfrewshire’s Local Area Committees, are now open.

The funding, which used to be known as Local Area Committee grants, is available for projects which help each Local Partnership meet its local priorities. These priorities were set by each Local Partnership at meetings in March and April.

There have been important changes to the way this funding works since the introduction of the Local Partnerships in 2018, with groups now having to demonstrate how their application will contribute to the local priorities of the partnership they are applying to.

All applicants are advised to read the new guidance for Local Partnership funding, available on the Renfrewshire Council website, before submitting their applications.

Local Partnerships are a new way for communities, elected members and public organisations to work together at a local level. The partnerships adopt a more informal and inclusive approach which allows local people to have more of a say in decisions which affect their area.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “People in Renfrewshire are passionate about their communities and Local Partnerships are a great way for them to shape their community and get involved in decision making.

“This funding will allow Local Partnerships to support projects that are important to local people and address their local priorities, making a difference to their communities.

“If you are looking for funding and have a project that supports your Local Partnerships’ local priorities, I’d encourage you to apply.”

The Council’s Community Planning Team will hold two drop-in sessions to provide potential funding applicants with information on how the grants work, what the local priorities are for their Local Partnership and advice on alternative funding sources. The sessions will take place on Wednesday 24 April from 5.30pm-7.30pm at Johnstone Town Hall and Thursday 2 May from 2-4pm at the Abercorn Centre, West College Scotland in Paisley.

Anyone who cannot attend the drop-in sessions can call our Community Planning Team on 0141 618 4168 or email communityplanning@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

The deadline for applications is Monday 20 May 2019.

A decision on funding applications will be made by Local Partnerships at their next meetings in June.

To book a slot at our Johnstone drop-in session, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/local-partnerships-grant-funding-drop-in-session-tickets-59523195480. To book a slot at our Paisley drop-in session, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/local-partnerships-grant-funding-drop-in-session-tickets-60530532452

For more information on Local Partnerships and their local priorities or to download an application form, visit http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/localpartnerships