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Big Society Fund

The Big Society Fund Logo The Big Society Fund was set up by North Norfolk District Council to help build strong communities in the district. It aims to help communities to develop new and innovative projects which will improve their social and economic wellbeing.  The total funding available will be £450,000. This will be divided equally between a grant fund for projects up to £15,000 and an enabling fund for larger projects.

The Big Society Fund Grant Scheme

The grant scheme offers funds of up to £15,000 to voluntary and community organisations (including town and parish councils) in the district. 

Applications can be made to the Fund at any time. The Big Society Fund Grants Panel will meet quarterly and applicants will be informed of the decision within a week of their meeting. In order to be reported to the next panel, completed applications will need to be submitted by Friday, 21st June 2013.

The Enabling Fund

Organisations which have project ideas that fall outside the provisions of the Big Society Fund Grant Scheme (perhaps larger or more complex projects) are invited to contact the Council for support through its Enabling Fund. The Council is keen to support projects that will help deliver its priorities and meet identified community needs, bringing outcomes that will make a real difference.

Communities or organisations that have an idea or project that they wish to develop in partnership with North Norfolk District Council, via the Enabling Fund, should contact Sonia Shuter 01263 516173, email sonia.shuter@north-norfolk.gov.uk

About the Big Society Fund Grant Scheme

Information about the fund is contained in the Fund’s prospectus. The kind of activities or initiatives that could be supported, for example, might include .......
  • The provision of new or improved community facilities
  • The establishment of new organisations or specific activities (for existing organisations) that will meet identified local needs and can evidence sustainable long-term outcomes
  • Events which promote community involvement or innovative approaches that bring people together, that can be sustained (where appropriate) by the community in the longer term
  • Projects that encourage specific people to become more active in the community (e.g. delivering new training or work related activities to generate economic benefits for the area)
  • Projects that generate and/or increase social enterprise activity, creating more opportunities for local employment or training that can create or sustain local jobs

The following will not normally be supported by this Fund:

  • Core or on-going revenue costs for administering existing groups or organisations, unless it can demonstrated that they are directly linked to a new project with clear outputs and outcomes and a long-term sustainability plan or exit strategy
  • Core or on-going revenue to meet costs such as building maintenance, cleaning, staffing and infrastructure
  • Statutory responsibilities and regulatory functions of public bodies

Grant applications to the Big Society Fund Grant Scheme will be determined by the Big Society Fund Grant Panel.  The Terms of Reference for the Panel be accessed through this link - The Big Society Fund Grant Panel Terms of Reference  

Who can apply to the Big Society Fund Grant Scheme?

The Fund is available for projects that support people and activities within the North Norfolk District geographical area for example ......
  • Local voluntary organisations, charities (whether registered or not) and community groups
  • Parish and Town Councils within North Norfolk
  • Larger regional or national charities or organisations if the funding is to deliver a specific project in North Norfolk
  • Community businesses, social enterprises and other not-for profit organisations

Please note -

  • Schools will be eligible if the project or activity proposed relates to community oriented or supported activities that are outside the school’s normal core curriculum and/or main term-time educational role (usually outside school hours)
  • Organisations that are routinely supported by grant funding from North Norfolk District Council will not be eligible to apply unless the applicant can prove that the funding request is for a specific additional project and that the outcomes are over and above any existing funding agreement with the District Council
  • Individuals or private businesses will not be eligible to apply

How to make an application

An application pack containing all relevant documentation can be downloaded below or by contacting 01263 516248. Before making an application you will need to consider .....
  • The project outputs and outcomes and how these match the purpose of the Big Society Fund 
  • The needs or characteristics of the community which the project is intended to support 
  • The level of support from within the community that the proposed project is expected to benefit 
  • Who the expected beneficiaries are, identifying their location and other relevant characteristics
Making an application

The following documents can be downloaded to help you make an application to the Fund.

For further help and advice or if you would like a hard copy of the application pack please telephone 01263 516173 (e-mail supporting.communities@north-norfolk.gov.uk).