The Community Initiative Support Scheme was established by Durham Police Authority to provide financial assistance to support local projects undertaken by voluntary/ charitable organisations that benefit the communities of County Durham and Darlington. The principal aim is to provide funding to help projects that have a positive impact in reducing crime and disorder or address vulnerable issues.
The Authority normally considers requests for funding from £200 up to a maximum of £2,000. However in exceptional circumstances a higher amount may be considered.
Applying
All applications to the Community Initiative Support Scheme should clearly demonstrate that any funding will support one or more of the following….
Funding will not normally be approved if….
-
The application requires ongoing funding and none has been identified
-
The project is currently paid for by existing public funding
-
The application is made on behalf of commercial and profit-making organisations
-
The project is based/delivered outside of County Durham and Darlington
Community Initiative Support Scheme Application Form.pdf (5 pages, 156kb)
Community Initiative Support Scheme Guidelines for completion and submission of applications.pdf (4 pages,158kb)
Meetings of the Community Initiative Support Scheme are held every three months. The next meeting to consider applications will be held on Tuesday 2 March 2010 (deadline for application forms will be Thursday 18 February 2010).
Grants Awarded
The Community Safety Grants Scheme 2008/09 awarded grants to the following:
Bishop Auckland Theatre Hooligans (BATH)
A grant of £4000 was awarded to Bishop Auckland Theatre Hooligans. This group has a membership of over 200 young people aged 17-19 and through drama they look at issues which young people feel effect their communities. They develop Live Performances, workshops and DVD films and documentaries. BATH not only take stimulus from their own community but through international links with Jamaica, Ireland and Norway they challenge their members to look at how other communities and cultures deal with similar issues.
Shildon Youth Group
A grant of £1552 was awarded to Shildon Youth Group. This group provides positive activity provision for young people ages 13 to 19 years during summer holidays to engage in outdoor activities away from Shildon.
Dipton Youth Action Group
We gave a grant of £2,000 to Dipton Youth Action Group who used the money for outdoor pursuits and also to purchase general equipment for the group. This grant has aided the creation of a safe environment for young people, helping to reduce anti-social behaviour and to build better relationships with the community of Dipton.
The Rowing Gang, Durham Gilesgate Youth and Community Association
We gave a grant of £3,000 to The Rowing Gang in Durham Gilesgate to buy additional rowing equipment for the rowing club. This money has enabled more young people to take part in an activity that promotes team work, raises self esteem and diverts from anti-social behaviour.
Hilda Park Football Club, Chester-le-Street
We gave a grant of £3,000 to Hilda Park Football Club, who voluntarily coach young people aged 7-18 years most evenings and weekends. The funding that we have given has assisted with training fees, equipment, coaching courses and referees fees. This programme has been successful in reducing crime, anti-social behaviour and substance misuse. In addition, the funding has helped Hilda Park Football Club to work with local schools and community groups to help young people develop self worth and community awareness.
EDDY Project
We gave a grant of £3080 to the EDDY Project. EDDY offers a personal development programme to disadvantaged young people (aged 12-17 years), at risk of becoming offenders. The aim of the EDDY project is to divert young people away from crime and anti-social behaviour, develop their individual social and citizenship skills through enhancing a sense of personal and social responsibility. The grant will be used to fund activities in August 2008.
Seaham Rock Bands
We gave a grant of £800. The aim of this project is to give quality tuition to young people who want to engage in learning music, they will then form several bands to perform in the local community. The funding for this project has been used to purchase new musical instruments.
Bowburn Youth Project
We gave a grant of £2750 to Bowburn Youth Project. This youth project is aimed at 13-19 year olds in the Bowburn area to help get young people off the streets and engage in positive activities to reduce anti social behaviour in the area. The funding has been used to purchase a variety of equipment for the centre which is based in Burn Street, Bowburn.
Cockfield Youth Shelter
We gave a grant of £3000 to build a Youth Shelter in Cockfield. The Youth Shelter will give the young people of the village a purpose built place to 'hang out' together in a safe environment. The project is run by Cockfield Parish Council and aims to reduce reports and incidents of youth related anti-social behaviour.
Ferryhill L.A.D.D.E.R Youth Group
We gave a grant of £2000 to Ferryhill L.A.D.D.E.R Youth Group to produce a DVD about anti-social behaviour in Ferryhill. The DVD will be used to highlight and educate young people about the results of anti-social behaviour.
Seaham Youth Initiative
We gave a grant of £1500 to Seaham Youth Iniative to work with young people aged 11-25 within the town of Seaham. The Youth Iniative aims to divert young people away from anti-social behaviour through workshops and residentials.