BIG and small community projects in Billericay and Wickford will be boosted as up to £1million in funding will be shared across groups in the borough.
Basildon Borough Council has announced the launch of the Community Investment Fund to help kick-start groups and projects in Basildon.
Grants of over £100,000 could be made available to the right projects and community groups will be invited to apply for grant funding of £2,000 upwards if they can demonstrate how they can create opportunity in the borough.
Terri Sargent, cabinet member for community services at Basildon Borough Council, said: "We hope to help as many groups as possible.
"We're looking for any kind of project, big ones and smaller ones and in doing so allowing communities to help themselves improve their area.
"However, there will be specific criteria and it is strict –we want people to think about the project, it should be something to help the community."
The council will be holding a launch event for the Community Investment Fund in July, the date is yet to be confirmed, and from there they will visit the towns in the Basildon borough, including Wickford and Billericay, to show the community that this funding is available.
The council already gives small grants of up to £2,000 to community groups but this one-off scheme will open up greater opportunities.
Councillor Sargent continued: "We want to bring a bit of innovation to things – we want the tax payers to be satisfied that the money has been spent on something worthwhile. We want to spend every penny of this money and it's the real humdingers that will get through."
Stuart Sullivan, cabinet member for resources at Basildon Borough Council, said: "We will be asking community groups to put in bids of £2,000 and upwards.
"We will look carefully for evidence that the group involved is doing their bit and that the project will benefit the local community. For bids over £10,000 we will be looking for rigorous business planning and some level of match funding as well.
"There will be clear criteria set out for groups to meet before they apply."
Tony Ball, leader of Basildon Borough Council, added: "The overarching priority of this administration is to improve our borough and with that the lives of our local people.
"We believe the best way to do this is to help people to help themselves – it's the difference between a hand up and a hand out. That is what creating opportunity is all about."
The deadline for applications from charities, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations and community groups is Tuesday, January 14, 2014.
To apply visit www.basildon.gov.uk/communitygrants or for more information on small grants contact Janet Light, Basildon Borough Council's funding officer, by calling 01268 204303 or e-mailing janet.light@basildon.gov.uk
