2023/24 Grant Scheme Launched for Community Projects

Community projects across Folkestone & Hythe are set to benefit from a pot of £90,000 grant funding.

Folkestone & Hythe District Council’s member ward budget scheme gives each of its 30 councillors up to £3,000 to award to initiatives in the district.

Applications for 2023/24 are now being accepted. Previous recipients include Charivari, FHODS / The Tower Theatre, Folkestone Sea Sauna, Sandgate Scouts and Pevement Punders.

Community groups and organisations in the district or those with a connection to the area, can apply for funding. These include:

• Town and parish councils with a community tax of less than £21,000 a year;
• Community interest companies;
• Charitable incorporated organisations;
• Registered charities;
• Schools;
• Community and voluntary groups with a governing document;
• Other organisations working for the benefit of the local community.

Tim Prater, Councillor for Sandgate and West Folkestone, said:

“Funding is really hard to find these days for local groups, so these grants are a real opprtunity for our community. In the last 4 years both Gary Fuller and myself have given £12,000 in funding each to various local projects, and we hope to continue to offer that suport. I would encourage eligible groups to come forward and apply.

“Across the disitrct uo to £90,000 will support initiatives where local community organisations and volunteers, with £6,000 a year in Sandgate alone.”

There are a few requirements for applying to the scheme – details can be found on the application page. You can also find out who your ward councillors are and their contact details, by visiting the council’s website.