Cash pots for small groups

GRASSROOTS charities in Warrington wanting to help people in developing countries can now apply for a government grant to support their work.
A new £7 million cash pot, called “The Development Innovation Fund” (DIF) is now available to help the smallest not-for-profit groups. It will provide up to £60,000 for one-off projects lasting up to one year.
The fund aims to help grassroots organisations who have found it difficult in the past to attract support for their work with poor communities in the developing world.
Every group from Scout packs to Rotary Clubs is urged to apply for funding through the new scheme announced by Mike Foster, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Development.
Mr Foster said: “All local groups, no matter what their size, can make a positive contribution to communities in developing countries living in extreme poverty.
“I want to see applications full of imagination, innovation and determination that will harness the energy, talent and creativity of small community groups in the UK and deliver results for the world’s poorest people.
“From projects dealing with education, those working with people with disabilities and work with people with HIV and AIDS, the Development Innovation Fund will help thousands of unsung heroes working with communities in poverty.
“This fund is open for everyone from small, established charities to Scout packs, church groups and even the local WI to put into practice ideas for projects that will benefit people whose lives are starkly different from their own.”
Applications can be submitted to any of three rounds over the next 16 months and groups can bid for funding for any number of individual projects.
The DIF is open to not-for-profit organisations in the UK and abroad and their proposals must cover work in developing countries. To find out more about DIF, please visit www.dfid.gov.uk/dif