Westhive
West Oxfordshire District Council’s Executive has agreed to introduce a new community crowdfunding platform for local residents and groups to raise money for local projects with the council contributing funding to projects using the platform.
The crowdfunding approach builds on the support West Oxfordshire District Council has provided over many years to local community facilities and projects, introducing more flexibility to support a wider range of projects that address local needs and aspirations.
The platform pools together funds between councils, businesses, foundations and the local community to pay for projects that improve local places, which typically results in projects securing three times more funding than if they were relying on council funds alone. Projects can range from improving a play park, a wellbeing group, a community energy project or putting on a street festival. Westhive is about everyone, at least £20,000 of the pledge pot will be allocated to the funding of projects aimed at or brought forward by young people, so that they have the chance to take the driver’s seat and make the changes they want to see. The District Council has allocated a total of £120,000 a year to pledge against proposed projects in the crowdfunding programme.
Community Infrastructure Fund (capital projects)
The Community Infrastructure Fund has been introduced specifically to revitalise and grow local infrastructure as part of the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund Levelling Up scheme. With a generous budget of £40,000 this financial year – £220,000 in total over two years. This fund will support capital projects that echo the Council’s core values and that restore a sense of community, local pride and belonging, especially in those places where these have been lost.
Further details can be found: https://www.spacehive.com/movement/westhive/supporters
3 Year Grant Agreements
A new approach to providing grant funding to organisations who can help the Council achieve a number of outcomes aligned to community resilience, the environment, ecology and climate change has now been launched. Three year grant agreements starting in April 2024 will support this approach and help ensure the expected outcomes are delivered by monitoring and performance indicators. Applications are now open to eligible organisations to apply for a three year grant agreement for awards up to a maximum of £25,000 per annum. The closing date for applications is 31st December 2023 at 17:00 hrs. Apply at: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/publicagroup/aspx/Home
Information on the grants and funding opportunities available are on the website:
https://www.westoxon.gov.uk/communities-and-leisure/community-grants-and-funding/
If you would like to discuss a project idea please contact Janine Sparrowhawk, Community Funding Officer, janine.sparrowhawk@publicagroup.uk Tel: 01993 861572
