Member Article

Next round of NatWest’s £2.5m Skills and Opportunities Fund opens

North East organisations are being invited to apply for a share of a £2.5m fund set up by NatWest.

This Friday sees the launch of the next round of NatWest’s Skills and Opportunities Fund, which is dedicated to supporting projects in disadvantaged communities that help people to help themselves by learning new skills, getting into the world of work or setting up their own business.

Charities, not-for-profit organisations and state-funded education bodies can apply for up to £35,000 each. The fund will distribute grants totalling £2.5m and is expected to reach more than 25,000 people this year.

The fund launched in May 2015, the fund has attracted more 2,700 applications from around the UK, of which 272 were shortlisted for a public vote with 158 going on to win grants of up to £35,000.

A total of 25 organisations from across the North of England received a share of funding since the launch of the Skills and Opportunities Fund.

Richard Topliss, Chairman of NatWest’s North Regional Board, said: “Since launching the Skills and Opportunities Fund last year, we have supported dozens of community groups and charities across the North East.

“There is some wonderful work going on throughout the region and we look forward to learning about additional programmed as part of the application process.

“As a bank we are committed to making a difference for the communities which need it most – helping people succeed by supporting enterprise and financial education projects in disadvantaged areas.”

Eligible organisations now have from 12noon Friday, August 19 until 12noon on Friday, September 9 to apply for the Skills and Opportunities Fund.