We’re very pleased to announce that the Connected Communities Fund for 2023/2024 has now been fully distributed to community groups and grass-roots organisations across the county.
62 projects have been supported from the £175,000 fund, with grants ranging from £450 to a maximum of £5000.
Details of groups funded:
This fund opened on rolling basis in September 2023 before closing to new expressions of interest in November 2023 due to overwhelming demand. This “grants-plus” approach involves working with community groups and organisations to work-up proposals providing a more accessible route to accessing funds. This programme is not only enabling activities to run in the short-term but also creating an asset-building and capacity-building legacy.
The Connected Communities Fund aims to increase the range of opportunities to get, or remain, connected in communities – in particular for older people and adults with additional needs. It brings to life ‘the Oxfordshire Way’ – Oxfordshire County Council’s ground-up whole system approach that aims to provide people with the ability to support themselves through personal, local, and system assets that ‘keep them in the centre’.
The team at OCVA and Community First Oxfordshire are looking forward to getting out across the county to visit activities and witness first-hand the contributions of the community and voluntary sector to promote the wellbeing of residents.
Vicki Baker
Community Development Programme Officer, OCVA
The Connected Communities Fund, is being delivered in partnership by OCVA and Community First Oxfordshire and has been made available by Oxfordshire County Council.