The Community Champions Fund is a grant that is available through the Government Offices in the Regions.  It supports the work of local people who can encourage others to get more involved in renewing their neighbourhoods.

Grant Value - minimum:
£50

Grant Value - maximum:
£2,000

Grant Value - notes:
The Total Fund Value is £3 million per year for the next three years.

Extended Description:
This fund is designed to increase the skills levels of individuals to enable them to act as inspirational figures, community entrepreneurs, and community mentors/leaders, in order to increase community involvement in regeneration and learning activity. An emphasis is placed on supporting individuals who have already shown leadership in stimulating community activity, or who have ideas for encouraging greater community activity. The Fund will also support small-scale community inspired projects as part of supporting potential champions who have not previously sought funding. The Fund also encourages older (50+) volunteers to get involved in helping their communities. The main type of funded activity is very small-scale but it is activity that makes a real difference. Often, a small amount of support at a crucial time can help individuals become strong role models in their communities. The fund has, for example, provided training in giving presentations, or enabled individuals to attend conferences that are relevant to what they are trying to do in their community.

Restrictions:
Funding will not be provided for:

·  activities outside of England

·  activities of a political or predominantly religious nature

·  existing provision or posts (unless there is clear added value)

·  continuing work previously funded by another organisation (unless there is clear added value)

·  provision that could more appropriately be funded from other sources

·  business start-up where there is no demonstrable benefit for groups within the wider community

·  larger capital purchases of equipment (more than £2,000), as opposed to smaller purchases including consumables or items which would have very little value by the end of the project

·  works or activities which an individual or organisation has a statutory duty to undertake, except where there is strong justification in terms of the impact this activity will have on local communities.

Key Criteria:
The programme is very flexible and supports individuals who are already active in their communities, or who would like to become active in their communities. All applications for support under the Community Champions Fund must demonstrate clearly the potential benefit which will be gained by the community.

Eligible Expenditure:
Large capital purchases of equipment of more than £1,000 will not normally be funded.