NINETEEN community groups groups from across Brentwood have been given a share of a £68,000 pot of council funding.
Cash from Brentwood Localism Share Fund, which is administered by the borough council, has been dished out to 25 organisations.
The grant money will be used by these groups, which cover variously the environment, the arts, sports and children's activities, to improve life for people through care breaks, allotments and education.
The grants were handed out by the council's asset, infrastructure and localism panel.
Panel chairman Councillor Russell Quirk said: "This initiative truly embraces the spirit of localism.
"What we particularly look for in these bids is projects relating to voluntary work and people focusing on assisting others in the community directly.
"We also like to make sure we have a balance across the area and include projects focusing on sport, the elderly, youths and the disabled.
"I was impressed by the quality of the bids, but I was also pleased to see how well community groups and voluntary effort thrive in Brentwood."
The council allocated £67,500 for projects to be supported by the share fund during 2012/13.
