About the Development Fund

The Newcastle Partnership and the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF) have given money to the West End Community Development Consortium (WECDC) to run a Development Fund. The purpose of the fund is to strengthen community and voluntary sector groups in the Inner West area (Benwell and Scotswood, Elswick, and part of the, Westgate and Wingrove wards). If these groups are stronger, they are better able to get involved in the regeneration of the West End of Newcastle.

Examples of the type of projects that might be funded are:

• Training - for volunteers, management committee members and workers
• Events - where local residents are consulted about issues
• Activities - targeted at people who do not normally get involved in their community
• Networking - bringing groups together to share skills and experiences to make each other stronger
• Conferences - enabling group members to attend conferences that are relevant to their community
• Research - helping groups to undertake research, consultations or evaluations so as to make a case for further funding

Particular priority will be given to:

• Small community and voluntary sector groups
• Applications that targets people who are often excluded from decision making
• Applications that can demonstrate that they meet one of the three NRF outcomes: Health, Employability and Community Safety

A Development Fund sub-group of WECDC, made up of local residents and workers in West Newcastle, will have responsibility for distributing the fund.

Please note: We cannot fund the day-to-day running costs of organisations.

For assistance with applications contact Barbara Slasor 0191 272 4244 (barbara.slasor@wehrc.co.uk)

Examples of projects we have funded

• Praxis - to support 10 service users living in residential accommodation to improve community safety.
• Across Communities - to develop an interfaith intergenerational community history on DVD (pictures).