Community groups and organisations are invited to apply to the council’s Community Grants Scheme for a share of £130,000 which funds projects that will enhance the lives of residents.

The medium and large grant schemes for this financial year are currently open for applications. Groups can apply for funding ranging from £1,001 to £30,000, up to a maximum of 50 per cent of the total cost of the project.

Applications for the first round of this year’s funding need to be submitted by Thursday, July 15.

Awards for smaller projects are also available. Small project grants can be applied for all year round and are awarded by the grants panel throughout the year. This year the small project award limit has been increased to £1,000.

Last year the scheme supported many varied and wide-reaching projects including a grant of £3,085 to replace the play park equipment in Brede, £1,500 for the Rye Blooms project, and £4,000 to purchase and install a tennis practice fence in Battle.  

Cllr Leslie Nottage, Chairman of Brede Parish Council, said: “Our grant of just over £3,000 from the Community Grant Scheme has enabled the Parish Council to order new play equipment for the Recreation Ground, replacing equipment that was over 10 years old. We hope the new equipment will be in place ready for the summer, for the local families and visitors to the area to enjoy. 

“The application process was fairly straightforward and simple, and the response after the deadline date was very quick. We would like to thank Rother District Council for their support which will help us improve the play facilities in the village.”

Rye Blooms is a community project developed by the Rye & District Chamber of Commerce which aims to brighten the town this spring and summer with stunning floral displays.

Sara Nixon from the Chamber of Commerce said: “We successfully applied to the Community Grants Scheme for a grant to support ‘Rye Blooms’, and we’d like to thank Rother District Council for their contribution to this community project.

“The funding has enabled us to give Rye a floral facelift as the town emerges from lockdown. We have donated 500 sunflower seeds to Rye Community Primary School and purchased 72 planted hanging baskets which we look forward to seeing flourish in the coming weeks.”

Tony Perkins from Battle for Tennis, a not-for-profit community club that aims to encourage physical activity in Battle and the surrounding area, said: “Securing funding from the Community Grants Scheme was crucial to the success of our project. The award enabled us to complete the purchase of the Tennis Practice Fence, which has now been installed at Battle Recreation Ground, boosting free tennis facilities for the local community.

“The practice fence is a fantastic community asset and we are delighted that, thanks to the grant scheme, the local and wider community will be able to enjoy the benefits of this wonderful new facility now and in the future.”

The Community Grants Scheme offers funding for local projects that support the development of community facilities, community activities or sustainable local action.

Cllr Susan Prochak MBE, Chair of the Community Grants Panel, said: “Over the 13 years the Community Grants Scheme has been running, more than £1.3m has been awarded to support many wonderful projects which have been of great benefit to residents across Rother.

“We would love to be able to support further good causes around the district this year. We are particularly keen to encourage applications which improve the environment, whether it is a more efficient boiler or projects encouraging nature to thrive.

“The Community Grants Scheme offers a vital helping hand to groups who are getting started with their fundraising efforts.  We have revised the application process to make it more straightforward so if you run, or are part of, a local charitable organisation, volunteer group or community association please do see if you are eligible for a share of the grant funding.”

Applications for the medium awards (up to £5,000) and large grants (up to £30,000) will be considered by the grants panel before recommendations are made to Cabinet in September 2021.

You can find our more and apply on our Community Grants Scheme page

Published: 1st June 2021