COMMUNITY and voluntary organisations are being encouraged to apply for grants to enhance, modernise and improve their facilities thanks to funding available from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

Following a successful launch last year supporting 14 projects across the borough, the council has re-opened its Community Infrastructure Fund with a £500,000 pot for organisations to apply for grants to improve their premises for users, increase income and reduce costs or make environmental improvements.

Grants of between £5,000 and £50,000 are available to those applicants who are successful in the two-stage process. The deadline for the first stage of applications is 5pm on Friday, July 19.

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The scheme is not designed to fund large new build projects but to enable existing facilities to better meet the needs of their communities now and in the future.

Potential applicants are encouraged to attend an information session or arrange a one-to-one chat before applying to see if their proposal fits the scheme criteria.

Last year grants totalling £300,000 were awarded enabling improvements to be made to 14 community buildings across the borough. The successful projects included upgrades to toilets, kitchens and lighting, the replacement of external doors and the installation of solar panels.

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Director of resident services Fiona Darby said: “Making improvements to community buildings can bring a wide range of benefits from increasing the number of people who can access the facility and the services running to reducing carbon emissions and lowering energy bills.

"Last year funding allocated through the scheme helped to support projects which included providing new energy efficient lighting at Sherfield Park Community Centre, new kitchen facilities at Upton Grey Village Hall and improved changing facilities at Stratfield Turgis and Hartley Wespall Cricket Club.

“This year there is a larger funding pot and we encourage community and voluntary groups to see if this money could support their plans for improvements to their premises.”

More information about the fund criteria and application process is available on the council’s website at basingstoke.gov.uk/infrastructurefund or by contacting cif@basingstoke.gov.uk.