FUTUREBUILDERS FUND OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS (ENGLAND)

Following the launch of the Futurebuilders fund, the Government has announced that the programme is now open for applications. Futurebuilders is a new £125 million government investment fund which aims to increase the role that the voluntary and community sector plays in the delivery of public services. The programme will seek to invest in up to 250 organisations with investments ranging from around £30,000 to several million, as well as providing development grants of around £10,000 to a number of applicants. The first funding round will run from the 5 July until the 31 October 2004.

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ORANGE COMMUNITY FUTURES AWARDS (UK)

Orange community futures awards are grants of between £2,500 and £5,000 that support local projects around the country that are working to make a difference to people with sensory disabilities. In particular Orange are looking to support innovative community projects that use communication to enable people with sensory disabilities to participate more fully in society. The closing date for applications is 31 August 2004.

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EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUND OBJECTIVE 3 BIDDING ROUND

The Government Office of the South West has announced that the next deadline for the ESF Objective 3 ‘alternative’ bidding round is the 30th September 2004. ESF is the EU’s main instrument for supporting human resource development. The ‘alternative’ bidding round refers to ESF grants that do not fall under the co-financingarrangements. Under the ‘alternative’ arrangements ESF will provide 45% of eligible funding. Successful organisations will have to find the 55% match funding.

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JOBCENTRE PLUS LONDON REGION ESF COFINANCING ROUND LAUNCHED (LONDON)

Job Centre Plus London Region has launched its 2004 ESF Co-Financing tendering round for Objective 3 provision. Applications are invited for projects that improve the employability of the unemployed, projects that widen access to basic skills provision; projects to develop local and area based responses to assist individuals with multiple disadvantage in the labour market and projects that provide help to improve employability and remove barriers to labour market entry for those groups disadvantaged in the labour market. The deadline for applications is the 20 August 2004.

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PARENTING FUND

The Parenting Fund is designed to assist voluntary and community sector organisations in delivering parenting support to vulnerable families in England. The fund provides financial support to the voluntary sector to promote parenting work and operates strategically to develop the sector's capacity. Funding awarded under the Local Grants stream will be for projects in 18 key geographical areas where a need for increased parenting provision has been identified. Funding awarded under the Major Grants stream will be for projects of national or regional importance.

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Local Grants - Maximum grant value: £100,000

Major Grants - Maximum grant value: £350,000

FUNDING FOR CHANGE MAGAZINE

Packed full of up-to-date news, information, thinking, tips, and features about government, Lottery, trusts and corporate fundraising, this quarterly publication is essential for all fundraisers. Each issue includes:

  • Editorial comment on the latest fundraising developments
  • News roundup – sections on Lottery, government, companies, trusts, general and changes
  • In-depth features from leading funders and fundraisers
  • An invaluable New Trusts section including grant totals, beneficial areas and contact details
  • Annual subscription £ 40, visit

LOCAL NETWORK FUND FO CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Maximum grant value: £12,000

The Local Network Fund for Children and Young People provides grants to small, local community groups in England to support vulnerable children and young people. The Fund aims to counter child poverty and youth disadvantage by providing opportunities for children and young people to achieve their potential. For more details go to

REFUGEE COMMUNITY FEVELOPMENT FUND

Maximum grant value: £5,000

The Refugee Community Development Fund makes grants available to organisations that work in the UK with refugees and refugee communities, including those that provide services to asylum seekers. Applications are particularly welcome from smaller grassroots organisations, emerging groups and those for whom refugees are a new target group. Projects must be for the benefit of those with full refugee status (under the 1951 UN Convention), or those who have been given Protection on Humanitarian Grounds or Discretionary Leave in the UK.

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INNOVATION INTO ACTION GRANTS

Maximum grant value: £60,000

The Innovation into Action grant programme funds projects to develop radical or new ways of involving council tenants in managing their homes in authorities or Arms Length Management Organisations (ALMOs) across England, by providing funding for tenants groups either working alone or with partner agencies to encourage, develop and promote the widest possible range of tenant participation options. The grant programme is open to tenants groups, councils or other interested organisations who have proposals involving innovative approaches to tenant involvement in council or ALMO homes across England.

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TENANT EMPOWERMENT GRANT

The Tenant Empowerment Grant is designed to improve tenant participation in local authority housing, particularly in areas with low levels of participation. Funding assists the provision of independent information, training and advice for tenants on participation options, as well as the setting up of tenant management organisations to take over management of council homes under the statutory Right to Manage.

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Express Networks, 1 George Leigh Street, Manchester, M4 5DL Tel – 0161 233 1924