WIREDGOV

Frontline third sector organisations are set to benefit from improved facilities at local resource centres across England, thanks to £2m of capital investment from the Office of the Third Sector, delivered by Capacitybuilders. The new round of small awards from Capacitybuilders’ Capital Investment Programme is now open for online applications.

Capacitybuilders will award small capital grants of up to £30,000 to local resource centres enabling them to respond to the recession. The grants will make small scale improvements to their premises, which aims to improve availability, quality or accessibility of the accommodation or shared facilities used by local third sector organisations. Prioritisation will be given to projects which have specific relevance to the challenges facing the sector during the recession.

The small grant programme, ‘Strand A 2010’, aims to respond to the increased demand on services, shared facilities and opportunities offered by local third sector resource centres. The first round of 61 grant awards made under Strand A of the capital programme earlier this year demonstrated how even relatively small scale changes can deliver real and immediate benefits to frontline organisations - enabling them to better meet the needs of local communities impacted of the economic downturn.

Angela Smith, Minister of State for the Third Sector said ‘I am really pleased to be announcing a further £2m for small capital grants to third sector organisations. This has a new focus on helping the sector through tough times, enabling them to share premises and facilities to become more efficient in the recession. Through pooling resources the third sector can become even more effective at supporting communities at this time’.

Speaking about the new programme, Matt Leach, Chief Executive said: “We recognise that the recession has increased the level of demand for services offered by third sector organisations - such as volunteer brokerage services, which have seen an unprecedented increase in footfall and enquiries as unemployment rises.  We want the funding to complement other investment, with a focus on the role that local resource centres can play in improving the support and advice available for frontline organisations. 

Strand A 2010 is an open programme, with online applications (via the Capacitybuilders’ website) welcome from existing local resource centres including those which have previously had applications to the programme declined. The closing date for applications is 24 December 2009.

Applications will be assessed on a monthly basis; so early applications are more likely to succeed. In particular, priority will be given to applications received by 14 December.

Further information about the Capital Investment Programme Strand A 2010 is available at:

• Capacitybuilders 'Capital Investment Programme' external website

Further information about Capacitybuilders:

• Capacitybuilders external website

Applications will be assessed on a monthly basis so early applications are more likely to succeed. In particular, priority will be given to applications received by 14 December 2009.