This Fund is part of a wider partnership project called the EDC Project, and is only available to groups that have received an Invitation to Apply email.
The following information explains the background to the EDC Project and the Fund, and how to get involved if your group may benefit from the support offered.
The EDC (Ethnically Diverse Communities) Project is funded by National Lottery Community Fund for 3 years from April 2024 to March 2027.
The Project is being delivered by a partnership of local agencies who have come together to strengthen local community groups that represent and support ethnically diverse communities in the BCP area: Community Action Network (CAN), Dorset Community Foundation, Dorset Race Equality Council (DREC) and BCP Council.
Local groups led by people from ethnically diverse communities have an excellent knowledge of community needs and challenges, as well as the skills and abilities that exist within communities. They run a range of activities and services that benefit ethnically diverse communities.
The EDC Project aims to provide support for these groups in order to maximise the success of long term delivery of their activities. We want to help groups become more sustainable, have strong governance, be better able to apply for grants and to run as efficiently as possible.
CAN are the lead organisation for the Partnership and are providing direct support for groups from specialist Capacity Building Officers and existing CAN advisors. This will help groups to identify any additional skills or knowledge that would strengthen their group.
As the project develops, representatives from groups supported will have opportunities to become actively involved in the Partnership, taking on leadership and development of the EDC Project.
The EDC Project Fund
We are running a funding programme, which is available to groups that are actively engaging with a Capacity Building Officer at CAN (see above). The funding programme has been co-designed with groups already engaged with the EDC Project. We aim to distribute £40,000 a year for each of the 3 years.
The EDC Project Fund for Strength and Sustainability will award grants of up to £3000 for training, consultation, technology or projects that will strengthen governance, sustainability and skills.
The funding programme is by invitation only. Groups that are actively engaging with Capacity Building Officers at CAN will be sent an invitation to apply at the appropriate time.
To get involved
If your community group supports an ethnically diverse community as its primary purpose, and its leadership team are representative of the community it supports, you might benefit from getting involved in the EDC Project. Please contact a Capacity Building Officer at CAN to arrange an initial appointment to find out more. There are two officers, Catia and Tama:
- Catia.Leite@can100.org
- Tama.Merdaci@can100.org
