Voluntary/Third Sector Funding Strategy
In order to ensure that all finance directed to the third sector via the Economic Development department within the Local Authority follows a standard process, a Third Sector Funding Protocol has been developed in partnership with Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil. The main areas of funding that Economic Development have direct responsibility for are:
- Merthyr Tydfil Development Fund
- Rural Development Fund
- Heads of the Valleys HARP
- Service Level Agreements
Grants & Development Fund
Merthyr Tydfil Development Fund
The Merthyr Tydfil Development Fund is an annual fund aimed at voluntary organisations and community groups working in the County Borough of Merthyr Tydfil. Grants between £2,500 and £10,000 are available for revenue only. The fund will be open for applications in Winter 2011. If you would like details of when the fund will be launched please contact the team on 01685 725309.
Eligible Projects
The project must be of benefit to the residents of the County Borough of Merthyr Tydfil and meet one or more of the following themes:
- Strengthening the capacity of local communities to help themselves.
- Promoting social inclusion for disadvantaged groups.
- Support development of services to benefit the community.
- Opportunities for acquiring new skills and learning.
- Promote sustainable development.
- Demonstrate partnerships
Please Note:
If you have had a Development Fund Grant in the last two years you will be unable to apply in 2012-2013.
If your project requires match funding this funding must be in place before you apply to the MT Development Fund. You must be able to spend the grant before the end of March 2013.
If you would like an application pack and further information please contact: Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council 01685 725309
For further information about External Funding opportunities, please contact the European & External Funding Team on: 01685 725309/725077
HARP
In July 2007 the Heads of the Valleys Programme Board decided to target investment on an area as well as a strategic basis. This required the development of a Holistic Area Based Regeneration Plan (HARP) to inform regeneration investment priorities for all the stakeholders in the Heads of the Valley (HOV) area.
In order to gain a strategic overview of project development across the County Borough a mapping exercise was conducted in November 2008 and a detailed project database resulted. This database has continuously been updated since its inception.
In line with the development of a Third Sector Funding Strategy, Economic Development identified a proportion of the 2010 HARP allocation and agreed that it be ‘ring fenced’ as an unallocated amount that could specifically be used to finance Third Sector projects on the ‘live’ HARP Matrix. A total number of 15 projects were agreed for 2010/11. It is anticipated that a similar amount will be ring fenced for the next financial year.
Local Investment Fund (LIF)
The Local Investment Fund will provide support and financial assistance to support local SME’s across the six local authority areas in South East Wales that are within the Convergence Fund area, i.e. Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taff and Torfaen.
The scheme is designed to complement the Welsh Government’s Single Investment Fund by providing financial assistance below the level available through this source.
Grants from £1,000 to £10,000 are available, based on 40% of the total costs excluding vat. The support is aimed primarily at manufacturing businesses and business servicing the manufacturing sector. Other sectors which have the capacity to add value to the local economy may be considered. Retail businesses are not eligible.
For more information contact the Business Support Officer on 01685 726275.
