Helping Communities Fund now open for applications

by Stuart Ashmore

Funding is now available to support community projects that align with the Police and Crime Plan and the priorities of WM Police.

This week sees the launch of the second round of the Helping Communities Fund (from the Office of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner). The fund is generated from the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) and enables money that has been seized from criminals to be used and re-purposed.

The aim of the fund is to support community projects that align with the Police and Crime Plan and that of West Midlands Police priorities.  Funding is shared between the Local Policing Areas (LPAs) with the aim/purpose of allowing communities to invest in their neighbourhoods, helping them get actively involved in projects that would make a positive difference and contribute to crime prevention & reduction, community cohesion or community safety in the local area.

The round opened Monday, 4th December and will be open for the next 4 weeks. Deadline for online applications will be Friday, 29th December.

Things to note about the fund:

  • Fund will be available to communities in the following areas – Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Sandwell, & Solihull
  • The maximum amount available that can be applied for is £5,000 (50% of grant to be paid upfront and 50% on receipt of proof of purchases)
  • Fund is aimed at grassroot community groups/organisations
  • Project has to be aimed one (or more) of – crime prevention & reduction, community cohesion or community safety in the local area
  • A group/organisation can apply for one area only
  • The group/organisation cannot be currently in receipt of PCC funding (or will not be for the period they are seeking funding for)
  • Applying for HCF can be a lengthy process, so the advice is that people apply well in advance (at least 3-4 months) of when they might want to deliver their intended project

For any group/organisation who is interested in applying, please contact the relevant neighbourhood policing team, in particular the local Partnership Engagement Team in the first instance to ensure that the proposed project will meet local needs. Email addresses for the team will be provided on the OPCC website. For further details about the fund, including the funding criteria and the online application form, please see the following link-  https://www.westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk/helping-communities-fund/