Partner Article

Funding boost for community teams

Voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises are sharing the benefits of a funding pot worth more than £600,000 from regional development agency One NorthEast to boost their effectiveness. The agency’s Third Sector Capacity Fund has awarded £688,662 in grants to 19 different projects, all aimed at helping not-for-profit organisations find new and better ways of overcoming the barriers which can prevent people from working or starting a business.

The financial support will help them with issues such as developing cost effective websites and efficient community transport, and encouraging closer working relationships in rural areas.

Robin Beveridge, One NorthEast’s Economic Inclusion Manager, said: “We recognise just how important the third sector will be in helping to achieve the region’s aim of getting another 70,000 people into work by 2016. “If we are to meet that challenging target, we have to try new ways of helping people get involved in the economy, whatever their age, sex, background or circumstances.”

Jo Curry from the Voluntary Organisations Network North East said: “VONNE are pleased that the Voluntary and Community Sector has been recognised as an economic entity in its own right. “The sector has an important role to play as a strategic partner, helping to shape policies that create an inclusive and sustainable economy in the North East. “This fund also strengthens the sector’s capacity to deliver the services that people want and campaign for change. This fund marks One NorthEast’s commitment to ensuring that prosperity for the North East includes those in our most deprived communities and those that are furthest away from the labour market.”

All the projects are taking place this year, and all available funding for the year has been allocated.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .