[WiLT] Community Champions Fund - Other Regions (England Only)

[WiL Admin]

The Community Champions Fund was set up to help people who can inspire
others to get more involved in renewing their neighbourhoods through
participation in community groups.

The Community Champions Fund has two main objectives:

* to increase the skills levels of individuals to enable them to act
as inspirational figures, community entrepreneurs, community mentors,
community leaders or community anamateurs; and
* to improve the involvement of communities in regeneration and
learning activity by supporting key individuals who can drive forward
community projects and pass on their expertise to others in their
community and to other communities.

With appropriate support these individuals will be better able to
support others -e.g. through mentoring, linking them to appropriate
training, helping manage small projects or other activity. This
approach seeks to build on the existing skills within communities.

Community Champions funding is provided by the Department for
Education and Skills and, as such, focuses on the development of key
individuals' skills and learning to make an impact on regeneration in
their communities. The fund is worth £3m per year with grants to
individuals usually up to £2000 and averaging £1250. The fund is only
available in England. Government Offices for the Regions (GOs) manage
the fund within their regions. Working with intermediaries, GOs select
and support Champions - the individuals who have succeeded in winning
a grant.

Further information is available on the Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs) page http://www.dfes.gov.uk/communitychampions/faqs.cfm

There is also an online contact form, links to regional offices and a
map if you are not sure which regional office you should contact at
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/communitychampions/contact.cfm

Posted on WiLT blog at
http://www.freecharity.org.uk/~womeninlondon/?p=105