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Community-led projects across the district can now bid for a share of £100,000 to improve their local areas and raise additional funds from within their community.
`Stroudfunding – crowdfunding for the Stroud district’ is being launched by Stroud District Council (SDC) to help local groups raise funding for community improvement initiatives.
The scheme is open to local groups such as schools, sports clubs and community organisations - providing them with the opportunity to access funds for initiatives that will benefit their communities.
Projects that align with the council’s priorities - including those which address environment and climate change or help build community resilience and wellbeing - could also receive up to £10,000 of SDC’s £100,000 fund, or up to 50% of the crowdfunding campaign target.
Community crowdfunding is an innovative way of raising money for ideas that will improve local areas, such as those which develop skills, promote sustainability, bring people together, provide training, or transform community spaces. People can pledge money towards the cost of projects that appeal to them via an online community fundraising platform called Spacehive.
Cllr Beki Aldam, Chair of SDC’s Community Services & Licensing Committee said: “Community crowdfunding is a fabulous way for people to fund ideas that will improve their community.
“Often people have a great idea but don’t know how to get started or access funding. Stroudfunding will help them get their projects off the ground with the possibility of a boost from SDC’s fund of £100,000.”
SDC has partnered with Spacehive, a platform dedicated to community fundraising which is used by local authorities across the UK. Spacehive has helped launch over 2000 community-led projects and raised over 30 million pounds to support local ideas.
Successful Spacehive projects in other areas include building a cookery school where refugees and asylum seekers teach people to cook; creating a community garden for volunteers to come together, grow produce and make new friends; transforming a field into a social farming enterprise; and kitting out a not-for-profit café that gives work experience to people with learning disabilities.
Stroud District Council and Spacehive are now keen to hear from residents and groups that have an idea to improve their local area. No fundraising experience is necessary - 65% of Spacehive creators are starting a community project for the first time. Spacehive assists project creators with online workshops, 1-2-1 support and resources, and provides advice on everything from project costs to campaign promotion.
Anyone interested can find out more information about the programme, the funding available and how to get involved, as well as tips and advice on how to launch a crowdfunding campaign by attending one of two launch events:
- Wednesday 11th September, 11am - 1pm, at Dursley Tabernacle or
- Thursday 12th September, 11am - 1pm, at Stroud Brewery
To register for the in-person events, please sign up using this link https://www.spacehive.com/movement/stroud
Businesses and charitable foundations that have funds for community projects are also welcome to attend.
If you are unable to attend there is more information about how to register a community project at https://www.spacehive.com/movement/stroud
Misha Dhanak, CEO of Spacehive, said: “We’re proud to partner with Stroud District Council and support local communities with their crowdfunding ideas to transform local areas. This collaboration marks an exciting step towards fostering grassroots innovation and community-led development, and we look forward to seeing the diverse and creative projects that will emerge.”
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