COMMUNITY groups are being urged to apply for skills grants worth a total of £2.5m.
The Skills & Opportunities Fund programme aims to support projects in disadvantaged communities that help people access the skills and opportunities needed to get into work or start a business now or in the future. And Ulster Bank is calling on local charities, social enterprises, community groups and state-funded schools or colleges to apply for the grants with the opening of the 2016 Fund programme.
The initiative, which was first launched in 2015, is part of a broader UK and Ireland Skills & Opportunities Fund from Ulster Bank, RBS and NatWest with £2.5m distributed annually over a three year period.
The 2016 round one application process can be accessed online and the closing date for all submissions is Friday, February 19. All groups should have a proven track record in organising and delivering programmes within disadvantaged communities. Last year the fund awarded 10 grants island-wide, many to large-scale projects supporting enterprise and employability. This year the Fund will be encouraging applications for projects on a smaller scale — for example, those seeking funding from £1,000 to £10,000, and reaching more local organisations throughout Northern Ireland.
Sean Murphy, Regional managing director, Branch and Private Banking Ulster Bank NI, said: “We were extremely impressed by the large number and high quality entries received locally for both rounds of the programme last year and are looking forward to a similar diverse and inspirational range of entries. Indeed we are hoping that the good news stories from some of our first round winners will inspire even more organisations to apply this year.
“Projects we award money to should support people into work, provide greater access to educational opportunities and inspire new business start-ups. We’re particularly keen in this round to support smaller, more localised projects with grants from £2,500 to £10,000, and welcome applications from projects that can benefit from the support of our staff as volunteers or mentors.”
A panel of experts including independent judges and Ulster Bank senior managers will be involved in reviewing all entries and publishing a shortlist. Voting will then be open to the public on Friday, April 8, with the public vote counting as one vote within the final phase of judging. The winning projects will be announced week commencing May 23.
For details, apply for funding or register your vote when the time comes, visit skillsandopportunitiesfund.rbs.com