Community groups and organisations are being encouraged to apply now for Argyll and Bute Council’s Third Sector Grants for 2013/14.  The closing date to return completed application forms for a decision at the April Area Committee meetings is Friday 1 February 2013.

The Third Sector Grants programme is aimed at supporting communities and vulnerable people, and helping to kick start new projects and events.    

A total of 130 community groups and organisations across Argyll and Bute benefited from the council’s £140,000 Third Sector Grants programme in 2012.  

The £35,000 grant funding allocated to Bute and Cowal has supported 31 groups and organisations in the area this year. This includes Dunoon and Cowal Youth Project, Bute Advice Centre, Bute Community Media, Dunoon and Cowal Elderly Forum, Kirn Gala, Pass it On (Bute), and Dunoon Computer Recyclers.

Charlie Forrest from Dunoon Computer Recyclers said, “The grant has been a great help to us. It has allowed us to increase the specification of the computers that we recycle and we have also bought sound cards and video cards to upgrade the machines.”  

Councillor Louise Glen-Lee, Lead Councillor for Community, Culture, Customer and Communication, said, “The council has been awarding grants to local groups and organisations for many years and we all benefit from the tremendous work these groups, organisations and volunteers do in our communities.  

“Small voluntary and community groups are a vital part of the fabric of our local communities and they play a key role in understanding and addressing local needs.”

The council is keen to encourage new groups with fresh ideas to apply for the grants.  Advice and support on funding is available from the council’s Community Development and Social Enterprise teams.

Subject to funding being available in 2013, applications are considered twice a year at local Area Committees in April and August. 

The applications forms are available from local area community learning offices or can be accessed using the following link:

 www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/council-and-government/third-sector-grants. 

For further information or guidance please phone 01546 604189 or email communitydevelopment@argyll-bute.gov.uk