21 September 2011
Waveney MP Peter Aldous is encouraging constituents to apply for a share of £5 million Lottery cash to create exciting community enterprises that will help to revitalise an area and meet the needs of local people.
Projects have until 5pm on Thursday October 20, 2011 to apply for up to £30,000 from the Big Lottery Fund’s Village SOS Active competition, which follows hot on the heels of the primetime BBC One series, Village SOS.
Anyone living in a rural village of less than 3,000 people, with an enterprising idea should register at www.villagesos.org.uk where they will find more details as well as an online support network. All they need to do is outline their idea in a quick and easy online form and the best ideas will be chosen to complete a full application for a grant of between £10,000 and £30,000. Extra support for those interested in applying is available via a telephone advice line - 0845 434 9123 - with experts giving practical tips on how to develop their ideas and make their village business a success.
The funding pot is part of a wider BIG campaign which is offering a range of tools and resources to help communities reverse rural decline and revive village life. From business plan templates to an expert advice line and regional learning events, the campaign aims to help communities rejuvenate their villages and start up new business ventures that will help people tackle local problems such as the closure of vital amenities and services, or a lack of training and employment opportunities.
The BBC Village SOS TV series, broadcast over the last few weeks, followed the journey of six UK villages as they each used a Big Lottery Fund grant to set up a new community business, including a Peak District community starting up a new local food project and cookery school, a Welsh village reviving their old water mill, and the creation of a country park complete with eco-centre, angling lakes and music festival near Nottingham.
Other examples of community enterprises that have used small amounts of money to get the ball rolling in their villages include community food shops and coffee shops, cycle schemes, pubs run by a co-operative of local people, community farms, bakeries and local people taking over the running of their village post office.
Mr Aldous said:
“This is a good opportunity for local people living in rural areas to apply for money that could make a real difference to their community. I hope to hear from any Waveney residents who apply for this funding so I can do all I can to support your projects.”
Projects have until 5pm on Thursday October 20, 2011 to apply for up to £30,000 from the Big Lottery Fund’s Village SOS Active competition, which follows hot on the heels of the primetime BBC One series, Village SOS.
Anyone living in a rural village of less than 3,000 people, with an enterprising idea should register at www.villagesos.org.uk where they will find more details as well as an online support network. All they need to do is outline their idea in a quick and easy online form and the best ideas will be chosen to complete a full application for a grant of between £10,000 and £30,000. Extra support for those interested in applying is available via a telephone advice line - 0845 434 9123 - with experts giving practical tips on how to develop their ideas and make their village business a success.
The funding pot is part of a wider BIG campaign which is offering a range of tools and resources to help communities reverse rural decline and revive village life. From business plan templates to an expert advice line and regional learning events, the campaign aims to help communities rejuvenate their villages and start up new business ventures that will help people tackle local problems such as the closure of vital amenities and services, or a lack of training and employment opportunities.
The BBC Village SOS TV series, broadcast over the last few weeks, followed the journey of six UK villages as they each used a Big Lottery Fund grant to set up a new community business, including a Peak District community starting up a new local food project and cookery school, a Welsh village reviving their old water mill, and the creation of a country park complete with eco-centre, angling lakes and music festival near Nottingham.
Other examples of community enterprises that have used small amounts of money to get the ball rolling in their villages include community food shops and coffee shops, cycle schemes, pubs run by a co-operative of local people, community farms, bakeries and local people taking over the running of their village post office.
Mr Aldous said:
“This is a good opportunity for local people living in rural areas to apply for money that could make a real difference to their community. I hope to hear from any Waveney residents who apply for this funding so I can do all I can to support your projects.”
