Organisations in Dorset have one month in which to submit applications for funding from the government’s Community Renewal Fund.

Projects should deliver investment in skills, investment for local business and investment in communities and should support people into employment

Bids which should be submitted to Dorset Council by 21 May, are invited from voluntary and community sector organisations, umbrella business groups, universities and colleges, local councils and private sector organisations providing a service to benefit other organisations or individuals

Projects should show how they complement other national and local provision and refer to local insight and knowledge. Projects will need to demonstrate how they fit with long-term strategic plans for growth.

Dorset Council area projects can bid up to £3m in total for funding. The Fund is for projects that can be delivered and completed up to 31 March 2022. Applicants are encouraged to maximise impact and deliverability through larger projects (£500,000 + where this is possible), although there is no minimum bid size. The grant is 90 per cent revenue funding.

Dorset Council will prioritise a shortlist of projects to submit to government and successful projects will be announced by the government from late July 2021 onwards.

Cllr Tony Ferrari said: “We welcome this opportunity from government as part of the national levelling up agenda, and also helping recovery following the Coronavirus pandemic. We all want to see a greener and more prosperous Dorset come out of the ashes of the pandemic.”