Sefton Council launches new funding round to support local projects through Sefton Crowd
An incredible community led scheme which funds ideas that create more vibrant, resilient and connected communities is once again being held in Sefton.
The funding opportunity is part of Sefton Crowd, a council initiative that aims to give anyone who lives locally and has ideas about how to improve their area, the opportunity to gain funding via the UK’s leading civic crowdfunding platform Spacehive.
The aim is simple – to fund and deliver exciting and innovative ideas to improve Sefton put forward by the local community, for the local community.
The council has allocated a dedicated fund of £50,000 for projects taking part in the programme, where there is an opportunity for local projects to get a pledge from the Council of up to £5,000.
From wildflower meadows to virtual music festivals, Sefton Crowd is helping people bring their ideas to life.
The Woodend Community Woodland Project is just one example.
Frank Sharp, Trustee of Friends of Maghull District said: “In the most challenging of times, the rich, accessible, friendly collaborative support from Spacehive and the incredibly generous motivational pledges from their partners Sefton Council, idverde and others made the seemingly impossible, possible.
“This enabled us to exceed our £23,803 funding target by 14%, to reinvigorate an historic woodland entrance to Maghull, with a welcoming, accessible, safe, iconic and engaging wildlife friendly space, focusing on enhancing the environment, history, community, and legacy.”
The deadline to put forward your idea is Wednesday 8 September .
Spacehive will also lead a programme of events for anyone who is interested in learning a little bit more or might want to test or discuss ideas that they would like to put forward first.
Sefton Crowd forms part of a new approach to civic planning by Sefton Council, which sees crowdfunding as a key channel to involve communities and local organisations in regeneration.
Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s cabinet member for communities and housing, said: “We’re ready to support projects that answer our call for ideas which put local people at the heart of the efforts to help Sefton recover from the pandemic.”
“I’m also calling on companies and foundations to join us in offering support – whether funding or in-kind – to the ideas people post on the platform so we can work together to make them a real success. The more people that get involved in Sefton Crowd the more amazing places we can create together.”
Sefton Council and Spacehive will hold a workshop to discuss your project ideas on Wednesday 14 July, at 10am and you can register by visiting Sefton crowd events
If you are interested in taking part in the next funding round of Sefton Crowd, as a funder or to fund your own project, please visit www.spacehive.com/movement/seftoncrowd or email info@spacehive.com.