Rutland community groups can apply for share of £200,000 funding
It's to help stop young people from being drawn to crime and anti-social behaviour
Voluntary and community organisations across Rutland are being invited to apply for a share of £200k to help prevent young people from being drawn to crime and anti-social behaviour.
The Community Fund: Diversion from Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and Crime is a collaboration between the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews and the Violence Reduction Network (VRN) to fund new diversionary activities to encourage young people at risk of crime to engage in positive and purposeful activities.
Charities, community groups, social clubs and sports associations are among the organisations being invited to apply for funding to deliver projects that support the Commissioner and VRN’s objectives.
Grants of up to £20k are available for applicants who can provide evidence of how their project will support young people aged between 10-24 years old to prevent involvement in ASB and crime.
Both partners are looking to support projects that involve children and young people in the project design process to ensure provision is relevant and responsive to their needs.
Launching the Community Fund, Mr Matthews said: “The VRN and I share a belief that young people will not be drawn into ASB and crime if they receive the necessary support and encouragement to fulfil their potential. Not every young person has a strong support network around them, and this is where this fund comes in – we want our communities to offer an additional source of inspiration and sustenance that will open doors and keep their lives on track.
“The prevention of crime is a key priority in my Police and Crime Plan. We cannot expect young people to make better decisions alone which is why we have pooled investment at this time to fund meaningful activities within our communities to build self-confidence and give young people a positive purpose so they are less easily lured by crime.”
Grace Strong, VRN Director, added: “We appreciate and value the work communities already undertake to keep young people safe and we know that they are often in the best position to reach, engage and inspire children and young people”
“The VRN delivers a range of frontline interventions for children and young people and we are proud of our collective success to date. The Community Fund will ensure that more children and young people are offered activities and support with the aim of reducing their vulnerability to involvement in ASB and crime.”
The deadline for submissions is 24th October 2022. For more information or to apply, click here.