Harrogate causes urged to apply for Co-Op Local Community Fund ahead of next week's deadline

There is just one week left for local groups and causes in Harrogate to apply for the Co-op’s Local Community Fund.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Over the past six years Co-op has supported 259 causes in Harrogate and local groups have until Sunday, May 29 to apply for funding.

The fund is continuing to support local organisations that are involved in providing access to food, helping to improve mental wellbeing or provide opportunities for young people and, for the first time, causes that are working to protect local biodiversity or tackle climate change.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Groups looking to deliver projects in any of these areas are being encouraged to apply online for the fund, which, through the help of Co-op members, has raised over £85m for nearly 30,000 projects since it began in 2016.

There is just one week left for local groups and causes in Harrogate to apply for the Co-op’s Local Community FundThere is just one week left for local groups and causes in Harrogate to apply for the Co-op’s Local Community Fund
There is just one week left for local groups and causes in Harrogate to apply for the Co-op’s Local Community Fund

When Co-op Members buy selected products and services from the Co-op, 2p for every £1 spent goes into their Co-op Membership account.

The same amount is then given to support national community organisations through the Community Partnership Fund and local causes via the Local Community Fund.

Members can choose the causes they wish to support and, with the help of Co-op’s Community Wellbeing Index, go online to compare their community with 28,000 others across the United Kingdom.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rebecca Birkbeck, Director of Community and Membership at the Co-op, said: “Since the Local Community Fund began, we have raised an amazing £85m for grassroots causes, as a direct result from the support of our members.

“Also, by applying for the Local Community Fund, groups will join our online community centre, Co-operate, which can help them find additional resources, as well as further donations, making this not just a fund, but a partnership.

“Even if a funding application is not successful, the group will still be a part of a network of over 12,000 groups on Co-operate.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“And for the first time I’m so pleased to announce that we have extended the criteria to include causes that are particularly dedicated to helping tackle biodiversity and carbon reduction, from local community gardens to small scale renewable energy schemes.”

Causes wanting more information about applying for the next round of the Co-op’s Local Community Fund should visit coop.co.uk/causes

Applications close on Sunday, May 29.