Due to the current COVID-19 crisis, the criteria for the Micro Grant has been reviewed by Essex County Council to incorporate the support that will be required by local Communities in response to this pandemic.
Micro-grants are available up to the value of £500 to support grassroots organisations responding to the pandemic who rely largely on volunteers to deliver their offer and have no infrastructure to support communications and technology. The grants will be awarded twice a month, on a continuous engagement basis and are one-time-only grant award that are available to for example; community groups, foodbanks, clothes banks, community kitchens and cafes that would have outcomes that generally reduce social isolation, improve wellbeing and support better connected communities. The communication and technology micro-grants are available to help improve promotion, community reach and access to their offer/service.
Examples of how the grant could be used include and not exclusively.
- Designing and printing costs for leaflets that provide key information to the community who may not have access to social media
- Distribution of literature/leaflets
- Paid for advertisements in local papers
- Building or improving websites
- Improving social media presence and reach
- Technological expertise and training
Applicants must provide their bank account details on headed paper. If you do not have access to a business bank account, then the EALC can look at local Voluntary Sector Organisations who can act as a broker to arrange payment.
Fund Administration
The administration of the 2020-2021 Microgrants will be undertaken by the Essex Association of Local Councils (EALC) on behalf of Essex County Council.
The Essex Association of Local Councils
42b High Street
Great Dunmow
CM6 1AH
Funding Officer: Louise Gambardella
Email: louise.gambardella@ealc.gov.uk
Telephone: 01371 879 722
Web: www.ealc.gov.uk
