The Department for Communities has made available hardship funding to local authorities to support the most vulnerable affected by the cost of living crisis. Council is working with partners in the Anti-Poverty Stakeholder Steering Group to support borough wide services to deal with the increased demand for support through a range of measures.

The purpose of this Grant Programme is to support small localised constituted community and voluntary organisations that are currently supporting residents experiencing food insecurity, and that need additional resources to cope with the increased demand for their services.

The Programme will assist organisations to support residents through the direct provision of food, hygiene and household essentials through established community food projects such as community food pantries and cupboards.

Applications are invited from constituted community and voluntary organisations that have a track record of working directly with people experiencing disadvantage. These include:

Food pantries/ cupboards;
Projects that redistribute food, such as community fridges, to those that need it most in local communities;
Holiday hunger schemes.

Only those applications which provide a targeted response in relation to food poverty interventions will be considered.

This scheme is for localised food insecurity projects; a separate scheme will operate for larger registered foodbanks that provide regional coverage and so they should not apply through this programme. Due to the one off nature of this funding the grant cannot be used to support the set up of new food projects. That grant is opened on a rolling basis and the fund will close as soon as the available funds are allocated.

Eligible organisations can apply for grants of up to £3,000 towards 100% of eligible costs. Funded activities can take place up to 31st March 2024. Funding should be used for food items and other household and hygiene essentials. A maximum of 10% of the grant awarded can be used for administration costs.

Projects must demonstrate how they will address all of the following 3 objectives:

Support residents who are experiencing financial difficulty through the provision of food. This may also include hygiene or household essentials;
Ensure that the support is targeted at those most vulnerable and in need of support;
Ensure that any food intervention is linked with other support services by signposting or referral (such as benefits and money advice; energy efficiency advice etc)

You are strongly advised to speak to a member of the Community Development team before applying to ensure that your project is eligible.

The team can be contacted as follows:

Limavady, Benbradagh & Ballymoney -

Catherine Farrimond

07846 099916

catherine.farrimond@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Coleraine, Bann, Causeway & The Glens -

Lisa Harris

lisa.harris@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Neighbourhood Renewal areas in Coleraine & Limavady -

Jenni Archer

07892 764937