Coronavirus grant schemes now open for applications

The Coronavirus Community Food Fund from East Devon District Council, and the COVID-19 Fund, a joint grants scheme from the district council and Devon County Council, have been re-opened to new applications.

Coronavirus Community Food Fund

East Devon District Council's Coronavirus Food Fund provides funding for food related projects during the coronavirus crisis.

Grants of between £500 and £2,500 are available. To find out more about the fund, see previous projects that were given grants, and apply, visit East Devon District Council's website.

Eighteen very worthy projects were funded by the Coronavirus Community Food Fund between April and July 2020, giving out a total of almost £30,000.

The fund was then closed to applications, so it would be available in the event that it was needed again. It has now been re-opened to applications due to the second national lockdown.

Projects that could be eligible for the funding include:

- A food bank whose stocks of items are running low and they need an immediate donation to enable them to restock

- A foodbank that needs different items to what they have, for example if they need nappies or cleaning products that they aren't receiving through donations

- New equipment/resources that allow groups to have the capacity for the increased number of people needing their food related service

- A service providing hot meals delivered to the homes of vulnerable people, children or adults, who might otherwise not have a hot meal

- Costs related to collecting food donations and delivering food to those in need

- Training of staff and volunteers working on food related projects. It can be used to fund eligible capital (so for physical things like equipment) and revenue costs (so for things like training, petrol costs)

- It can be used to fund eligible capital (so for physical things like equipment) and revenue costs (so for things like training, petrol costs)

Applications are accepted from constituted and not-for-private-profit voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector groups and organisations, town and parish councils, charities, or a combination of such groups working together.

Non-constituted not-for-private-profit groups and those without a bank account may apply but they will need to do so with the support of an accountable constituted organisation acting on their behalf.

COVID-19 Fund

The COVID-19 Fund (previously known as the COVID-19 Prompt Action Fund) is a joint grants scheme funded by East Devon District Council and Devon County Council.

It aims to support community-led schemes that carry out the small but important things that can safely address some of the issues arising because of the current coronavirus restrictions, including support for those who are clinically extremely vulnerable.

It quickly provides small grants of between £300 and £700, grants may be given for up to £1,000 for exceptional projects.

This is a joint grants scheme from East Devon District Council and Devon County Council. Each council pays 50% of each grant awarded in East Devon.

It existed before, and has been temporarily re-opened until 2 December 2020.

Examples of projects that may be funded:

- Safe deliveries of essential goods and services to those who are vulnerable, such as foods and medicines.

support for accessing online information and services.

- Helping people to stay connected and informed and measures to support mental health and wellbeing.

transport-related initiatives that support safe community responses.

To find out more, see previous projects that were funded, and apply visit the East Devon District Council website.

Councillor Jess Bailey, East Devon District Council's portfolio holder for Corporate Services and COVID-19 Response and Recovery said: "We are grateful for the enormous contribution made by our groups during the Coronavirus crisis, and we have re-activated these grant schemes to help the groups during this challenging time."

Cllr Roger Croad, Devon County Council's Cabinet member for Communities, added: "The coronavirus outbreak is continuing to have a profound impact on our communities. As we saw during the first lockdown, the role of volunteer organisations is significant. They stepped up to support those in need and helped keep their neighbours safe, often in the most innovative of ways.

"Now, with a second lockdown upon us, it's more important than ever that we keep supporting these groups so that they can continue their inspiring work, reach more people within their communities, help those who are vulnerable and remain well-connected and resilient."