By Bill Heaney
A £1million capital fund introduced to support West Dunbartonshire communities through the cost of living crisis will open for applications next week.
The fund, agreed in June as part of a raft of financial support put forward for residents and communities, will provide funding for community organisations to pay for cost of living initiatives around the area.
Successful applicants can used the funding to help with capital costs incurred for initiatives to help alleviate the impact of the Cost of Living Crisis.
To qualify as capital spend, the applicant must demonstrate plans to purchase a new asset including equipment; enhance or upgrade an existing asset; or extend the use or life of an existing asset.
The benefit created by the asset must last for longer than one year.
At a meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council this week, the fund – put forward by a
cross party Cost of Living Working Group – was formally agreed.
Cllrs Michelle McGinty and Clare Steel.
Councillor Michelle McGinty, who chairs the working group, said: “I am truly grateful to officers for working hard to ensure this capital fund of £1million to provide further support for our communities during the cost of living crisis has been made available so quickly.
“Applications for grant funding is likely to be highly competitive, so I would encourage applicants to be as detailed as they can in how this money will be used to benefit the
people of West Dunbartonshire.
“Each application will be considered on its own merits, with the working group looking in particular at the number of local people who will benefit relative to the amount of grant requested, as well as the group’s own fundraising efforts and any matched funding.”
Councillor Clare Steel, vice chair of the Working Group, added: “We are committed to helping the people of West Dunbartonshire who are struggling due to the increasing cost of living, which is evident with the £5million package of support introduced in June.
“This fund is especially important because it allows us to help community organisations to enhance the services they offer. It’s vital we work together to ensure those hardest hit have the support they need.”
The fund will be open for applications on 31 October for an initial period ending December 9.
For more information please visit: Cost of Living – Capital Fund | West Dunbartonshire Council (west-dunbarton.gov.uk)