GRASS ROOTS GRANTS

The Culture & Wellbeing Grassroots Grants Programme is provided by Liverpool City Council through its Art & Cultural Investment Programme (ACIP) and Liverpool Primary Care Trust as part of the Decade of Health & Wellbeing.

£150,000 is available to award to grass roots community organisations which can develop a project to reinforce the five themes of the Decade of Health and Wellbeing. The opportunities provided extend beyond the city centre and into Liverpool’s neighbourhoods seeking to encourage new ideas, participation, cultural, health and wellbeing benefits to the communities of Liverpool. The funds will strengthen the links to the city’s strategic plans for culture, health and wellbeing and maximise the progress made in establishing culture and creativity in our communities.

The 2011 programme is a continuation of the Arts & Culture Investment Programme (ACIP) which ran from 2009-2011. ACIP remains the City Council’s main support mechanism for the Arts & Cultural sector and is a legacy project of European Capital of Culture 2008. The Council and PCT understand the challenges that the current economic climate creates so are keen to support organisations who can work with artists and creative people to deliver innovative projects. 

The fund is aimed at not for profit organisations involved in arts and cultural activities, who can put together an initiative which has a positive impact on the community and the people who live there. 
Maximum allocations of £5,000 can be handed out and briefing sessions will be held in all of Liverpool’s neighbourhoods, giving an overview of the grant scheme, the eligibility criteria and advice on how to fill in the application form. More details can be found here: www.liverpoool.gov.uk/acip.

Councillor Wendy Simon, said:
“Liverpool has a rich, cultural landscape, and this scheme gives smaller organisations the opportunity to create a real impact in our communities by putting a creative spin on health and wellbeing.”

Chair of Liverpool PCT, Gideon Ben-Tovim, said:
“The Decade of Health and Wellbeing is continuing the great work started during 2010, and the community grant scheme forms a key part of the overall programme to encourage people to improve their health by building the five ways to wellbeing into their lifestyle.”

Deadline for applications for 2011 is Monday 4 July and projects should start running from 1 September 2011 up to 1 March 2012.