Local MP, Caroline Dinenage, has encouraged Gosport residents to apply for Natwest Skills and Opportunities Funding which will see £2.5m given to charities, social enterprises, community groups, state-funded schools and colleges across the country in 2017.
The Fund has already shared £5m in four rounds of funding since being launched in 2015, with successful applications ranging from educational outreach projects to healthy eating initiatives and careers advice workshops.
Applications for funding should reflect the priorities of each region, which in the South East focus on developing enterprise and improving the financial capability of disadvantaged groups. A diverse range of projects will be considered, and the maximum amount any one organisation can apply for is £35 000. Applications for the current round of funding close at noon on Friday the 24th of February.
Commenting, Caroline said:
“As MP, I’ve been lucky enough to see first-hand the brilliant work being undertaken by a wide range of community and not-for-profit groups in Gosport, and would strongly encourage any eligible organisation to apply for Skills and Opportunities funding. Ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to develop the necessary skills to undertake rewarding careers is so important, benefiting not only the individual but also the local community and economy. I am delighted, therefore, to see funding being made available to support community groups in this valuable work.”
To find out more about eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit: http://skillsandopportunitiesfund.natwest.com/