Nithsdale poverty fund will have £70k available

Community projects which help tackle poverty and inequalities in Nithsdale will soon be able to apply for support funding.
Dumfries and Galloway Council has made a cashpot of £68,544 available and this will be opened up to projects that support struggling people in the community.
The priorities for funding are organisations which support digital connectivity, food insecurity, fuel poverty, warm hubs, and advice and support services (financial management/lifestyle).
This year a larger grant scheme is in place, with funds of up to £10,000 per application. The cash awards will be determined by councillors in September.
This tackling poverty and inequalities budget will be discussed at Nithsdale area committee on Wednesday.
The report states: “A maximum of 50 percent of the total project costs can be towards the core costs of the applicant organisation. Only core costs associated with staff, facilities and activity in Nithsdale can be included for consideration.
“Requests for 100 percent of the total cost of the project from Dumfries and Galloway Council sources will not be considered.
“Applications will only be accepted for projects which will be delivered within the Nithsdale area.”
It is being proposed that representatives from the council’s tackling poverty and inequalities reference group and community planning locality hub sit on the scoring panel for applications.
The council report states: “The scoring framework is consistent with that used for previous discretionary budget grants and other funds such as the Coastal Benefit Fund and considers evidence of match funding, level of request, fit with priorities, benefit to those experiencing poverty
and inequalities, evidence of impact, need and sustainability, and evidence of community involvement in developing the project.”
Council officers are proposing that the £68,544 fund is open to applications from May 19 and the deadline set at July 14.
Each application will then be assessed and councillors would decide on how to allocate the funds at the committee meeting in September.