Capacity Building

Not-for-profit organisations that help people overcome barriers and gain the skills and confidence to get back into work can apply now for the penultimate round of the European Social Fund (ESF) Community Learning Grants scheme in the North West.

Constituted voluntary and community groups, registered charities, social enterprises and community interest companies in the North West of England can apply for up to £12,000 to fund programmes aimed at people out of work or recently made redundant.

StreetSmart supports a wide range of homeless organisations every penny raised in each city is spent only in that city.

Homeless charities seeking funding from StreetSmart should submit their application in writing during December.

The Charity Commission will start considering online applications for registration as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) from 12 noon on Monday 10 December 2012.

The CIO is a new legal form designed specifically for charities. The structure provides charities with some of the benefits of being a company, without all of the associated burdens. CIOs will be incorporated charities able to enter into contracts in their own right, whose trustees will have limited or no liability. CIOs will therefore only need to register with the Commission, not with Companies House.

The Manchester Youth Fund and Play Fund 2013/2015 seeks to provide an appropriate, sufficient and equitable spread of provision for 5-19 year olds (up to 25 for those in vulnerable groups) across the city. Funding for both youth and play has been aligned for the commissioning of projects running from 1 July 2013 until 31 March 2015 in order to allow and encourage organisations to consider possible models that allow economy of scale and lead to innovative approaches that will make a real difference to children and young people in areas of highest need.

The Equity Foundation, part of Equity Housing Group, will be officially launching in January 2013, but is has opened its Change Something grants programme which aims to help people make positive changes in their communities in Stockport, Trafford and South Manchester.

Community groups, registered charities, social enterprises or Community Interest Companies (CIC) can apply.

Manchester residents wanting to hold events to help their communities stand up to hate crime are being invited to apply for cash from the City Council.

Manchester City Council is encouraging residents to help them raise awareness of the problem and understand what they can do to report any incidents, as part of a hate crime awareness week being held early next year.

Groups who want to organise events helping residents celebrate their diversity and get to know each other better are now being invited to apply for grants of up to £200.

The John Grant Davies Trust provides funding for groups based in areas of urban deprivation in Greater Manchester and which are combating poverty and empowering local people to help in their own community.

Grants are normally made between the values of £100 and £3,000. However, an exceptional application may receive a greater amount of funding.

Applications for revenue funding over a period of up to three years will also be considered.

Voluntary and community groups working in the most deprived areas of Greater Manchester are eligible to apply.

Do you want to be involved in running a vibrant organisation that supports the many wonderful organisations that provide services for our young people? Voluntary Youth Manchester is seeking new trustees to support its development over the next 3 years. We have a helpful information pack put together by a former Chair, and the opportunity to ask questions or discuss any issues with the current VYM Chair. If you are interested, or know someone who is, please contact us at [email protected].

Big Lottery Fund (BIG) has teamed up with national communications charity Media Trust, and Northcliffe Digital's Thisis and localpeople community news sites to find inspiring images of communities and Big Lottery Fund projects making a difference.

Upload your photos showing how your BIG-funded project is making a positive difference for a chance to win a Canon D-SLR camera and two places on a photography training course. BIG-funded projects should enter the Big Lottery Fund Project category. All entries must be supplied with a caption explaining what the photo shows.