The Community Initiatives Fund (CIF) is currently closed to applications, as the judging panels are still sitting for the 2009/10 round. Please keep an eye on this site for the launch of the next round.
So far, the CIF has funded over 1000 projects across Essex. These projects were worth more than £62million and may well not have gone ahead without the CIF funding.
Cllr John Jowers, Essex County Council Portfolio Holder for Localism, and the brains behind the initial concept, said of the scheme, “This fund really has gone from strength to strength. Communities throughout Essex are working together to come up with really good, imaginative schemes which will help their local area. The fact that the awards panel is made up from members of those communities is what makes this scheme different to all others, and makes sure that the funds get to where they really are needed.
"Essex leads the way on localism by empowering community groups and citizens in their tremendous efforts to preserve facilities and the social hearts of their communities and it is really wonderful to see people of all ages already helping to shape their communities."
Peter Martin, Leader of Essex County Council, has been inundated with letters of thanks from organisations that have received funding. He said "I am astounded by the success of this grant. It has gone from strength to strength. It is so important, at this particular time, to enable strong, inclusive communities to succeed, and that's exactly what the CIF achieves."
The Funds are managed by Beverly Davies who set up the scheme in Colchester back in 2003, when Cllr Jowers first had the idea. Beverly now administers the CIF portfolio on behalf of Essex County Council, with the support of the Area Co-ordinators at County Hall.
Beverly's contact details are: Tel: 07929 543523
Email: info@communityinitiativesfund.co.uk
Please feel free to contact Beverly at any stage of the application process - she is happy to answer any queries or provide advice wherever necessary to assist you in submitting a strong application. You can also contact her through the 'contact us' page of this site.