Almost £3 million of community partnership funding has been awarded to third sector and other community organisations in East Lothian for 2021/22.
This includes funding for the 20 Community Councils and six Area Partnerships, which will be allocated directly by them for projects which meet local priorities and support community resilience in each area.
A total of 42 community groups are being supported by the One Council Partnership Fund this year, including:
- People Know How - £10k to support digital inclusion
- Bridges Project - £88k for training and employability
- Roots & Fruits - £35k to reduce food insecurity and social isolation
- Heavy Sound - £40k to work with young people to develop a range of skills
Other organisations being supported include the Amisfield Preservation Trust, Dads Work, Coastal Communities Museum Trust, East Lothian Swim Team, New Beginnings and Team United.
It is anticipated that additional funding from Scottish Government during 2021/22 to support COVID-related community activities will further enhance these awards. This may be to support food provisions, to promote digital inclusion and alleviate financial hardship.
Councillor Jim Goodfellow, Cabinet Spokesperson for Community Wellbeing, said: “Our community groups have never been more important and their support to some of the most vulnerable in our society during this incredibly difficult time has been invaluable.
“The range of support, community activities and advice offered by these groups is quite simply amazing and really contributes to the health, vibrancy and diversity of our towns & villages.
“The overarching aim of this One Council Partnership Fund is to help reduce inequalities and I am sure that, given the range of groups and volunteers we are supporting, these awards will make a significant inroad into attaining this goal as well as improving the wellbeing of all our communities.
“In addition to providing this direct funding, we are working in collaboration with the Volunteer Centre East Lothian (VCEL) to help community groups become more self-sustaining for the future as financial pressures on the council are expected to increase, including supporting them with business plans and accessing other sources of funding.”