Antrim Borough Council has a range of grant aid programmes available to community or voluntary groups based, or working in the Borough of Antrim. If you would like further information on any of the programmes, or in deciding what, if any grants are applicable to your organisation the Community Services Team will be happy to answer any queries contact T: 9446 3113 or E: community.services@antrim.gov.uk. The application process covers the areas of grant aid.

Antrim Borough Council's Events and Festivals Panel

Antrim Borough Council would like to invite applications from interested members of locally constituted community or voluntary organisations who would be prepared to voluntarily assist Elected Members on the Council's Events and Festivals Panel.

The Panel meets four times per year, for approximately two hours, to make recommendations on applications submitted to the Council's Events and Festivals, Summer Scheme and Senior Citizens Christmas grant programmes.

Should applications for panel membership exceed available spaces, selection will be based on representational and geographical spread.

For further information please contact David Jordan, Community Services Officer, or for an application form contact Tracy Hefferon on 028 9446 3113, email tracy.hefferon@antrim.gov.uk.

Closing date: 4 pm Friday 19th August 2011.

	Type of Grant Aid	Description	Status
1	Seeding Grant	Used to help set up new groups and only available to those groups who have been in existence for one year or less	Open
2	Community Insurance	Only available to groups once within any 12 month period. Available to organisations carrying out a wide range of activities, for example, community activities, social/leisure, environmental, cultural, educational and economic development. Please note that the group may be a specific interest group, for example, a senior citizens group running a luncheon club. However, they could also be involved in organising physical activities or lectures on health and safety and running reminiscence projects in addition to their main activity.	Closed
3	Events and Festivals	Available to organisations to support the delivery of Events and Festivals which are for the benefit of local people, contribute to civic pride and identity, demonstrate community participation or management. Events must be open to all sections of the community and must take place in the Borough of Antrim between late May and early September (outside of this Antrim Borough Council may consider applications for events being organised for St Patrick's Day 2011).	Closed
4	Summer Schemes	Available to support organisations in the delivery of Summer Schemes which are for the benefit of local young people, contribute to civic pride and identity, demonstrate community participation or management. Must be open to all sections of the community and take place in the Borough of Antrim between 1 July and 31 August, in liaison with North Eastern Education and Library Board Youth Service.	Closed
5	Rural Support	Available to umbrella organisations representing a village or other clearly defined rural area.	Open
6	Christmas Large Village Switch-on Events	Available to any community development group responsible for organising one large village event.	Closed
7	Christmas Senior Citizens Events	Available to seniors groups for events which are open to the wider community. All groups must show how they intend to promote and involve seniors who have less opportunity to take part in social activities and who may not be a member of any group. Applicants must complete a Corporate Financial Assistance form.	Open
8	Community Festivals Fund	This fund has been established by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) and jointly funded by DCAL and Antrim Borough Council. It's available to community groups towards the costs of events and to improve the capacity of community festivals and make them less reliant on public funding by providing support and training. In this instance, a festival is defined as a series of events with a common theme and delivered within a defined time period. It should celebrate and positively promote what the community represents. Community Festival Fund Application and Guidelines	Closed
9	Good Relations	Available to support organisations in the delivery of events and projects that will engage participants in good relations themes, namely tackling racism, sectarianism and promoting shared communities. If your group is interested in improving community relations within the Borough of Antrim the Council may, at its discretion, give grant aid to programmes which provide:- New and ongoing cross-community contact including training and events with a specific community relations theme Cultural diversity, including grant aid for events and training that will promote mutual respect Equality of service delivery and equitable treatment including the support of projects addressing diversity and the auditing of community relations issues A programme of a regional nature, in conjunction with other district council community relations programmes Programmes developing the linkages between community relations, equality and human rights Consideration will also be given to programmes that address community relations issues relating to community safety. Applicants are strongly advised to contact the Good Relations Officer to request an application form on T: 9446 3113 Ext 1014 well in advance of the event/project to ensure that good relations themes are central to the application.	Open
10	Peace III	The PEACE III programme will be delivered through a cluster approach with Antrim, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey Borough Council (CAN Partnership), with Newtownabbey taking the lead. Under Priority 1.1 Building Positive Relations at a Local Level. The programme is currently undertaking consultation for Phase II of the PEACE III Programme which will start in 2011. If you would like to give your opinion there is a short questionnaire which can be completed at http://surveymonkey.com/s/CANPeaceIIIProgramme2011-2013	Closed

Opening and closing dates for each programme will be advertised in the local press and on this website as appropriate. For further information on any of the above grant aid programmes please contact a member of the community services team on T: 028 9446 3113 E: community.services@antrim.gov.uk

Please note for all programmes:

1. The Community Services team are available should you require any assistance with an application.
2. A pre-assessment check will be available to those groups who submit an application at least two weeks prior to the funding deadline (if applicable).
3. FUNDING WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE TO PROGRAMMES OR ACTIVITIES THAT HAVE ALREADY COMMENCED OR COMPLETED.

Please ensure that you select the correct grant aid type for the activity/project for which you are applying and ensure it is returned by the appropriate closing date.

In order to apply for this grant aid your organisation must meet the Eligibility Criteria set out below.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be:
a) A properly constituted group from the community/voluntary sector
b) Other group which demonstrates the support or involvement of disadvantaged and/or target group
c) Based/working within the Antrim Borough Council area

Ineligible Activities/Items:

a) Retrospective payments
b) Food or drink (with the exception of Christmas Events)
c) Groups mainly engaged in Sports, Arts and/or Cultural activities
d) Equipment is only applicable to Rural Support

For further information or help with an application form, please contact the Community Services team on T: 9446 3113 or email community.services@antrim.gov.uk