Funding is available for community projects in Dorset this winter.

The money is available from Dorset Council to fund projects or events for cost-of-living challenges, heritage, community, arts, museums, physical activity and play activities.

Grants from £1,000 to £5,000 are available to groups who support the council to meet its core priorities. The next round of the Community and Culture Project Fund will open at 9am on Friday 4 November 2022.

This round of funding will prioritise grants to applicants that address and support the cost-of-living challenge for vulnerable communities and those most in need in the Dorset council area. These include:

• community warm spaces, especially in rural areas
• community food projects including lunch clubs and dinner clubs
• foodbanks
• low level mental health projects

Dorset Council portfolio holder for Culture, Communities and Customer Services, Cllr Laura Beddow, said: “We’re encouraging community groups to apply for the next round of funding. Last time around, we distributed over £35,500 to local groups including theatre companies, groups that help people with learning disabilities, energy champions and efforts to improve recycling of waste. This time around, we will prioritise groups who have a focus on supporting people through the cost-of-living challenge, but also welcome applications from other groups too.”

For more information criteria and how to apply, visit www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/community-and-culture-project-fund.