The Coalfields Social Enterprise Grant Scheme
The Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) in Wales have been successful in securing match funding from the European Regional Development Fund under the Convergence programme to develop a grant scheme particularly targeted at the development of social enterprises in former Coalfield areas.
CRT will directly deliver 2 aspects of the grant scheme – Level 2 and Level 3
The Coalfields Social Enterprise Grant Scheme Level 2 is for grants between £500 and £10,000. Projects need to be delivered within 12 months and demonstrate how the grant will improve their income generation and sustainability. Grants can be for up to 2 years but must end by March 2012.
The Coalfields Social Enterprise Grant Scheme Level 3 is for grants between £10,001 and £100,000. This programme is for projects which have real potential to be a lasting social enterprise and need more investment to develop and secure a long term future.
For further information and guidance on this grant scheme, please contact the Wales office on 01443 404455
How to Apply for Funding
The first thing you need to do is contact our office. We will need to know the name of the organisation that will deliver the proposed project, where the organisation is based, what your project will do, the cost, who will benefit, where it will operate and an indication of how much funding you would like from the Trust.
Our staff will be able to advise you on the Trust’s priorities and the application process. An appointment can be arranged with a member of the Development Team to discuss things in more detail and to provide help with the application if this is required. We are here to help you at all stages of the project’s development.
To contact the Wales office call 01443 404 455
The application form can be completed using Adobe Reader. You can download a free version of this software from the following website:
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
News Release
£2 MILLION BOOST FOR SOCIAL ENTERPRISES IN THE SOUTH WALES VALLEYS.
Social Enterprises in the South Wales Valleys will receive a £1.8 million boost to help improve the quality of life of those living in former mining communities, Deputy Minister for Regeneration, Leighton Andrews announced today.
Up to 40 new jobs will be created by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust investment programme which will help almost 100 organisations to develop into social enterprises and deliver vital services for their communities..
Community and third sector groups will be amongst those that will be receive help with start up costs, building refurbishment and staffing costs to enable them to develop into social enterprises.
The aim is to offer more community services, particularly where there is a gap in provision, such as training, childcare and food cooperatives.
The new jobs will be created as a result of the increased staffing needed within the organisations supported.
The Coalfields Social Enterprise Development Scheme is backed with £900,000 from the EU’s European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Assembly Government, which has been matched by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.
Announcing the project, Deputy Minister for Regeneration, Leighton Andrews, said: “Social enterprises have a central role to play in providing services to local people, helping to regenerate communities and creating local wealth.”
“This project will help establish thriving and sustainable social enterprises and demonstrates our commitment to creating a situation where they can grow to benefit society, the economy and the environment.”
The scheme will also offer help with business planning, IT equipment, improvements to IT infrastructure and web design to prepare organisations to better serve their communities.
Siân Sykes, Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) Operations Manager for Wales, said: “We have spent the past decade helping improve the quality of life in former Coalfield areas through a wide range of programmes.
“We work in the heart and soul of communities, investing resources, expertise and knowledge to ensure local people are able to fulfil their potential .This new initiative, which aims to give Wales more and better equipped social enterprises than ever before, embodies everything that we are about.”
Focus on: Crafts for Everyone
Since starting out three years ago with £38,000 CRT funding, Crafts for Everyone (CFE) has blossomed into a strongly emerging social enterprise with a staff of nine and an in-demand product.
The Crumlin-based project trains adults with learning difficulties and mental health problems to make products for its Ichthus Ceramics brand, as well as providing therapeutic classes offering a wide range of crafts for people with high support needs.
CFE has recently taken on a design ceramicist - financed by Coalfield Regneration Trust’s Bridging the Gap programme and the Rural Industry and Produce Innovation Fund - moved to larger 1,700 sq ft unit to increase production capacity, and developed an exclusive range of porcelain daffodil broaches, dragon mugs and tableware, soon to be on sale at the Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff.
CFE Chief Executive Maggie Betty. said “The CRT support has made a tremendous difference. It introduced us to the concept of being a social enterprise, rather than just a charity, and opened up to us the idea of being able to generate income for the good of the people we offer a service to.
“It also gave us the opportunity to employ three new members of staff, and the therapeutic classes are now more or less self-sufficient.”
Notes to editors:
The funding will be available to communities and organisations within former coalfield areas of West Wales and the Valleys wishing to start up new social enterprises. It will also develop support to address needs within disadvantaged communities where there are gaps in services and provision such as childcare, transport and food cooperatives.
There will be three tiers of support available:
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Level 1 - consultant and associate support
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Level 2 - small grants (£500 to £10,000)
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Level 3 – large grants (£10,001 to £100,000)
