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Blears announces funding for successful projects that will give people a real say

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT News Release (071) issued by COI News Distribution Service on 1 April 2009

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears announces today successful third sector organisations - charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises - which are to share multi million funding for projects helping to give people a real say in their communities.

Twenty-one projects will receive a £9.25million Empowerment Fund to deliver on the key themes of the Communities in Control White paper which include being active in your community; access to information; standing for office and ownership and control.

Among the successful are:

* Operation Black Vote who plan to use the fund to help increase voter registration and participation among the Black Asian and ethnic minorities;

* the Workers Education Association who will be addressing key barriers to empowerment in deprived communities, through adult education and mentoring;

* the Young Foundation will use the fund to increase the numbers of young people getting involved in public leadership; and

* social Firms UK will focus on using social firms to help excluded and disadvantaged groups back to employment

Hazel Blears said:

"Charities, community groups and social enterprises can offer people real opportunities to get involved in the areas they live and a say in things that matter to them.

"This Empowerment Fund is about acknowledging that key role, which is even more important in these tough times. It will provide real help on the ground supporting the innovative work they are doing for the benefit of communities and local people."

The Government first announced plans for the Empowerment Fund in July 2008. The fund will provide three year grants of either £250,000 or £500,000. The security of a three year fund will help these organisations plan ahead with confidence and they will be expected to show how they make effective use of the financial assistance to expand their work.

Notes to editors

1. The Empowerment Fund supports third sector organisations with national reach that can help deliver on the key themes set out in the White Paper, Communities in Control: real people, real power. Themes for delivery are: Community Voices and Leadership; Community Development; Community and Social Media; Community involvement in Planning; Improving communication between citizens and councillors; Social Enterprises and Social Entrepreneurship and helping small organisations to work together

2. Applications for the fund were invited in October 2008. The closing date for applications was 6 January 2009. More than 150 applications from a broad spectrum of the sector. Details about the process can be found in the evaluation strategy on the Communities website.

3. List of successful organisations (in alphabetical order):

* Action for Market Towns
* Bassac
* Carnegie
* Centre for Sustainable Energy
* Community Matters
* Environmental Law Foundation
* Housing Associations Charitable Trust
* Media Trust
* Novas Scarman
* Operation Black Vote
* Oxfam
* Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation
* Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce
* School for Social Entrepreneurs
* Sheila McKechnie Foundation
* Social Firms UK
* The Young Foundation
* Tenants Participation Advisory Service
* Urban Forum
* Workers Education Association
* YWCA

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News Releases: http://www.communities.gov.uk/newsroom