Please note that the deadline for submitting expressions of interest to the Rural Infrastructure Fund has now passed.
he £230,000 Eden Rural Infrastructure Fund is a one-off fund available for sustainable community projects in the rural areas of Eden (outside of Penrith). The minimum award is £10,000, the distribution of which will be determined by community representatives on the Eden Community Partnership.
Fund Launch at Eden Community Conference
The fund was launched at the Eden Community Conference, held on Saturday 26 November 2011 at Toppin Memorial Hall, Skelton. Over 70 community groups attended the event which involved presentations demonstrating successful case studies of community projects in Crosby Ravensworth, Tebay and Orton. Workshops were also held to help develop the criteria for projects, the formation of the Eden Community Partnership and also to generate ideas for possible projects. Read the media release about the Eden Community Conference.
Formation of Eden Community Partnership
The Eden Community Partnership will be formed from January 2012 to oversee the Rural Infrastructure Fund. It will consist of a limited number of individuals who have a clear focus on helping communities bring their projects to fruition. Nominations are invited to the panel of the Eden Community Partnership.
Nominations to the Eden Community Partnership
Nominations now closed.
How much money and for how long?
The Rural Infrastructure Fund has £230,000 available and ideally projects will be completed within two years of grants being awarded.
Who can apply for funding?
Applications are welcomed from Parish and Town Councils, charities, village hall committees, community groups and the voluntary sector. To apply for the fund, your group should have a proper constitution and a bank or building society account with at least three signatories, unless you are a legal entity, for example: a Parish Council or a company limited by guarantee. This is important to the Council as it demonstrates you have sound governance arrangements in place as the fund is public money.
What can be funded?
The full set of criteria for the Rural Infrastructure Fund will be determined by the Eden Community Partnership which will be formed from January 2012. However, as with the Community Fund the Rural Infrastructure Fund is intended to support community based initiatives that contribute to the sustainability, vitality or well-being of communities in Eden. It is therefore anticipated that the criteria will reflect these priorities.
Deadlines
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Monday 16 January 2012 - expressions of interest
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Friday 24 February 2012 - applicants will be informed whether their expression has been approved and invited to submit a fully worked up application.
For further information
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Contact: Senior Communities Officer
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Email: Communities.Team@eden.gov.uk
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Telephone: 01768 212268
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Address: Communities Team, Eden District Council, Town Hall, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 7QF
