North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has announced plans to support the region’s grassroots organisations, charities and community groups with new funding.
The Mayor’s Opportunity Fund will invest £1 million over the next two years, helping organisations who tackle poverty, and support people and places in deprived areas.
The first phase of grants are earmarked for organisations working to build community cohesion, in a direct response to recent public disorder in August.
The plans will go before the September meeting of the North East Combined Authority Cabinet for approval.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “The North East’s community groups, charities and grassroots organisations represent the very best of our region. However their ability to support others has been put under serious strain by 14 years of austerity, the cost of living crisis and rising demand.
“Recent public disorder underlines just how vital it is to support people who bring hope to our region and work relentlessly to stamp out hatred from our streets.
“As Mayor I’m determined to bring people together, and support those who sacrifice their time and effort to offer opportunity to others.
“My mission to tackle poverty and create opportunity will start from the grassroots – and that’s why I’m backing our community groups who lead this fight on the ground.”
Martin Brookes, Chief Executive of VONNE (Voluntary Organisations’ Network North East) and Community and Voluntary Sector Member of the North East Combined Authority, said: “We welcome the introduction of the Mayor’s Opportunity Fund, and the opportunity for the North East Combined Authority to support the voluntary and community sector’s valuable work. Community engagement and cohesion is at the heart of what the sector does, and it is crucial that there is funding to sustain this work, particularly in the aftermath of the recent riots.”
The fund will begin to take applications in the Autumn, with details to be announced by the Combined Authority shortly.
Organisations seeking support should register their interest by signing up to the Mayor’s newsletter: Mayor newsletter sign up (northeast-ca.gov.uk)
First published here by North East Combined Authority on 12 October 2024. Image credit: Mark Savage Photography/North East Combined Authority.
