Community funding in Chester le Street is available to help groups make the town a better place to be.
The It's Up 2 U Community Grants Scheme has been launched by Durham County Council's Chester-le-Street and District Area Action Partnership.
The Chester le Street funding is intended to support schemes that will make the town centre more attractive to visitors, as well as enable projects that will target key themes such as the environment and community safety.
Community and voluntary projects in the Chester-le-Street district can apply for a share of £25,000, and the It's Up 2 U- Community Grants Scheme is open until Monday February 3.
The £25,000 available will be split in to two pots, one of £15,000 and one of £10,000. Applicants will be able to bid for either up to £5,000 from the £15,000 pot or up to £1,250 from the £10,000 pot. Groups can only apply to one of the two pots available, with a minimum application request of £250.
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Projects should also fit into one or more of the local priorities currently identified by the AAP. The first of these priority areas is Thriving Chester-le-Street which focuses on the development of the town centre into an attractive place for people to visit. The second priority, Supporting Chester-le-Street, centres around health, children, young people and families and welfare reform. Priority areas in environment and community safety target issues such as dog fouling and littering.
For each priority, there are enthusiastic task and finish groups, made up of board and forum members and representatives from relevant partner organisations. Successful projects as part of the It's Up 2 U fund will build on these areas.
Michael Wilkes, Chester-le-Street and District Area Action Partnership coordinator, said: "This is a really exciting opportunity for projects that benefit the whole community to receive a boost.
"It also promotes different group activities and gives people the chance to find out more about what goes on in their local area. This is because, once applications have been successfully submitted, it will be up to the local public to vote for which group gets what funding."
Successful applications will have to attend the It's Up 2 U Event which takes place on Saturday March 28 at the Sports Hall, Park View Academy, Church Chare, Chester-le-Street to display projects and to pitch for votes from members of the public.
For more information or to apply contact the AAP Team on 03000 266147 or by e-mail at chester-le-streetaap@durham.gov.uk
You can also find out more by visiting the Chester-le-Street AAP at www.durham.gov.uk/chesterlestreetaap