For the first time ever in Norwich, community groups will be able to access council cash through crowdfunding, as an innovative new scheme is launched.
Crowdfund Norwich has been set up to support community groups, social enterprises and charities across the city.
Any local Crowdfunder projects will feature on the new Crowdfund Norwich platform, so people looking to get support for a local cause, or those looking to support a local project can find them with ease.
To give the programme a really good kick-start, Norwich City Council has set aside an initial sum of £50,000 of extra funding, money which comes from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) – a pot of money generated by planning charges made to developers as a way to support the growth their developments will bring to an area.
Community groups, charities and social enterprises with qualifying projects will be able to bid for a contribution of up to 50 per cent of the cost, and a maximum of £5,000. The group will then promote its project and once at least 25 per cent of its fundraising target has been reached, the council may make a pledge to give the project a further boost.
Councillor Chris Herries, cabinet member for safe, stronger neighbourhoods said:
“We are excited to launch this innovative scheme to help groups get extra support and turn their great ideas for community projects into reality.
We are confident that this will be a positive way to show what projects local people feel passionate about while enabling even more funding to be invested in our communities so that more can be done.”
So, if your group or organisation has an idea for a community art project in an open space, a youth sports club, a community workshop on horticulture, ways to improve community facilities, cooking equipment for a healthy cooking club – the possibilities are almost endless – this may be just the thing you need to help get your project off the ground.
Whether you’re looking to apply for the part-funding from the council, or you are not but you have a local Crowdfunder project, it could show on Crowdfund Norwich and our trained coaches may be able to give you advice and support.
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