VOLUNTARY, charitable and community groups in Bromsgrove are being invited to bid for up to £1,000.

Bromsgrove District Council is making more grants available for activities that address community issues and support wider community involvement.

For the first time – and as a trial for 2019 – applicants can now bid for up to £1,000 instead of £500 as in previous years.

The grants will also be run for one round in line with the financial year, rather than two.

The grants will support projects to be delivered between June 1 2019 and March 31 2020.

Bidding is open now until the deadline of noon on April 26.

The approval process and shortlisting of applications will be completed during May with funds becoming available to organisations from June 1.

There is a £10,000 budget for this year’s Small Grants Scheme and with the increased amount to bid, it is hoped that this will provide an opportunity for bigger or longer term projects to be delivered alongside smaller projects requiring an amount up to £500.

Cllr Brian Cooper, whose portfolio covers finance and enabling services, said: “The voluntary and community sector provides valuable services to our residents and the district, and we are pleased to support small projects that make a big difference.

“History has demonstrated that some groups have chosen not to apply for funding due to the limited funding on offer, so we hope that by reducing the frequency of the bids and offering groups the chance to bid for up to £1000, we will encourage bigger community projects."

Since starting the grants programme in 2015, a total of £36,483 has been awarded to 85 different projects.

These projects have helped support older people, young people, men, women, people with a disability, members of the LGBT community and different race and religious groups.

For information and guidance on applying go to bromsgrove.gov.uk/grants or call 01527 881288.