[W]ith £50,000 available to apply for in the final application round for the Eden Community Fund in 2017/2018 (deadline Friday 12 January 2018), the work of a community arts project in Kirkby Stephen is a great example of the type of projects the Fund has helped over the last 12 months.
A grant of £2,000 from the Eden Community Fund helped Kirkby Stephen Community Arts (KSCA) to provide over 25 events for local people as a pilot project.
KSCA was established with the aim of developing a programme of quality arts events and family activities across existing venues in the town for the benefit of residents and visitors to Kirkby Stephen and the Upper Eden Valley.
Working in partnership with local arts organisation, the group has provided a wide range of activities from theatre and live music performances, to film screenings, talks and family events.
Some of the most popular activities KSCA provides are for young people including a ‘Telling Tales’ a story time and craft session for 0-5 year olds and ‘Kirkby Construction Club’ a fortnightly fun event where children aged 3+ can get creative using plastic bricks.
Kate Lynch from KSCA said: “The pilot project has made a huge difference to the cultural offer in the Upper Eden area. We have sold over 1,200 tickets to arts events since September 2016. We are getting good attendances at both Storytime and Construction Club, with children who have attended Storytime now going on to get their own library cards. We have received positive feedback from audience members, community leaders and partners alike and have had sell-out performances for both theatre and cinema events.
“We have developed a website www.kirkbystephencommunityarts.co.uk and have an active following on social media. We also have produced regular leaflets to promote our activities. So please take a look and see how you can get involved.”
KSCA is also supported by Kirkby Stephen Town Council, The John Strutt Foundation and Cumbria County Council.
Eden District Council’s Communities Portfolio Holder, Councillor Elaine Martin, said: “Often the most rewarding and inspiring applications we receive for the Eden Community Fund, don’t necessarily involve the largest sums of money, but are projects that achieve a real tangible community benefit through their impact. The work of the Kirkby Stephen Community Arts is one rewarding example.
“£50,000 is still available in the Eden Community Fund to support project and events that have a wider community benefit in the local area. So I would encourage community groups to put their collective thinking caps on in the run up to the January 2018 deadline and give the Council’s Communities Team a call for advice on how your local community could benefit.”
Eden District Council welcomes applications to Community Fund from community and voluntary groups, parish and town councils, charities and social enterprises to deliver projects that benefit local communities. The District Council does not accept applications from individuals.
To be eligible to apply to the Eden Community Fund, groups and organisations must have their own constitution (unless a parish council) and bank account with at least two unrelated signatories.
The Council strongly recommend that applicants contact them to discuss a project or event idea before filling in an application form, to make sure it is eligible for funding. To discuss your ideas call the Community Support Officer on 01768 817817.
What can be funded?
Only capital funding is available.
Grants are available for community projects and events that benefit the residents of communities in Eden. Groups and organisations must demonstrate how their project or event will deliver wide benefit, contributing to the sustainability, vitality and wellbeing of Eden’s communities.
Applications are invited to the Eden Community Fund under the following categories:
- Community (outdoor) Amenities
- Community Buildings
- Community Enterprise
- Supporting Communities
- Community Events
How much money can be applied for?
The minimum grant for categories 1-4 (above) is £500 and the maximum is £10,000. For community events the minimum grant level is £200 and the maximum £5,000. Awards towards the maximum levels will be the exception and projects and events will need to demonstrate significant community need and match funding. There is a requirement for 20% match funding for all categories, although up to 10% can be in-kind.
Please do not submit an application unless you have the required number of written quotes and estimates as it will not be accepted. Two written quotes or estimates must be submitted for each item of expenditure between £50 and £2,500 and three for each item over £2,500.
For more information about the Eden Community Fund visit www.eden.gov.uk/communityfund call 01768 817817 or email: edencommunityfund@eden.gov.uk
The deadline for the next round of applications to the Eden Community Fund is Friday 12 January 2018.
