BROMSGROVE District Council is making grants available of up to £20,000 to organisations who work with economically inactive and disadvantaged people. 

A new “Community Grant for Employability Support”, funded by the Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, is open for applications.

Applications are invited from any third sector organisations with a legal status, such as charities and community interest companies.

Other small organisations with social goals will also be considered. Funding is limited; therefore, the grants will be awarded on a competitive basis.

Cabinet member for economic development and regeneration, councillor Sue Baxter, said: “Taking steps getting into or back into employment are difficult at the best of times. Any grant that can help the Bromsgrove District’s most disadvantaged economically is very much welcomed.”

Applicants must demonstrate that they are well placed to reach excluded individuals facing barriers which hinder their access to mainstream employability provision.  

The grants on offer are to be solely used to provide services to eligible participants and all support using the funds must be delivered by 31st March 2025. 

Recipients of the support must be aged 16+, live in the Bromsgrove District, eligible to work in the UK and unemployed, not in education or training.

Payments will be made in two equal instalments dependent upon acceptable performance and the provision of auditable paperwork.

Eligible organisations can apply for grant funding by completing the People & Skills Community Grants application form which is requested by emailing ukspf@bromsgrovandredditch.gov.uk.

Completed forms are to be emailed back to the same email address once completed by 5pm Friday 1 November 2024.