Deadline looms for second round of Community Challenge Fund bids

14th April 2013

Community groups are reminded that the deadline for submitting an expression of interest into the second round of The Highland Council�s Community Challenge Fund is 1 May.

35 groups submitted expressions of interest following the first round of bids on 1 February and six were selected to progress bids for a share of the �1 million set aside by the Council for community projects exploring new ways of delivering services at a local level. The groups are Nairn Cricket Club, Kinlochleven Community Trust, Lochalsh Sports Association, Kyle and Lochalsh Community Trust, Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston Community Company and Lochaber Sports Association.

20 others which expressed interest have been signposted to other funding streams, such as Business Gateway.
The Council�s network of Ward Managers will be the first point of contact to groups considering bidding into the fund to promote a local project.
Chairman of the panel of elected members, which considered the expressions of interest, is Councillor David Alston, Depute Leader of the Council. He was delighted with the response to the first round of funding and encourages other groups to meet the second deadline of 1 May. A third deadline will be 1 September.
He said: �The introduction of the Challenge Fund demonstrates the eagerness of our local communities to become more involved in their communities. The Fund takes forward the Council�s commitment to local communities.�
Projects should: -

1. Deliver the same level of Council service at a lower cost and be sustainable going forward,
or

2. Provide a higher level of Council service for the same cost and be sustainable going forward,
or

3. Help to reduce the Council�s costs for maintaining premises, by taking on the maintenance and running costs going forward with a one-off fund contribution.

Full details are available on The Highland Council�s website � http://www.highland.gov.uk/livinghere/communitiesandorganisations/communitychallengefund.htm