Residents and community organisations are once more invited to apply for the Thurrock Council's Community Environmental Development Fund (CEDF) to see their innovative ideas for the community come to life, as applications open this week.
Individuals and groups have until Sunday 18 September 2022 to apply for between £5,000 and £75,000 of CEDF grant funding towards community-led projects that are focused on delivering long-term benefits to residents and are accessible to all.
Cllr Qaisar Abbas, Cabinet Member for Communities and Equalities, said: "The CEDF is a fantastic opportunity for our residents to see their great ideas for making Thurrock the best place it can be to live, work and play a reality.
"Over the past 6 years the funding has brought to life more than 60 diverse community projects. This includes Thurrock Harriers Athletics Club, Grays that was awarded a grant in 2021/22 to replace their floodlight towers with energy efficient bulbs and mechanisms, and will lead to a considerable reduction in carbon emissions. Thurrock Christian Fellowship were also supported in 2020/21 with a grant that enabled them to enlarge and extend the Foodbank warehouse in Corringham to support our most vulnerable residents, while providing additional space for community events.
"I invite anyone across the borough who has an innovative idea for a project or scheme of work that can bring long lasting benefits to our community to consider applying for a CEDF grant and receive the support of our services to see if and how it can be brought to life."
Drop-in sessions to answer any queries will also be hosted in Aveley and Tilbury by the council's Community Development and Equalities Team and via Microsoft Teams on 4 dates:
- Thursday 21 July, 6pm to 7:30pm, on Microsoft Teams
- Friday 22 July, 10:30am to 12:30pm, at Aveley Hub, Recreation Ground Car Park, High Street, Aveley, South Ockendon, RM15 4BY
- Monday 1 August, 2pm to 4pm, at Tilbury Hub, Civic Square, Tilbury, RM18 8AD
- Monday 15 August, 11am to 1pm, on Microsoft Teams
To register your interest for the online sessions, email community@thurrock.gov.uk.
For full information on how to apply, go to www.thurrock.gov.uk/cedf.