The Commissioner is now offering cash grants of up to £3,000 from her Youth Diversion Fund for grassroots initiatives offering safe and engaging activities for young people this autumn half term.
It is the fifth round of grants released by the Commissioner from the Fund, using money raised through the Police Property Act which sees money from the sale of unclaimed stolen goods or property recovered by the police which cannot be returned, diverted into worthwhile causes.
All the money goes towards projects that are making a difference in their communities and are helping to deliver the Commissioner's policing priorities for tackling crime and reducing disorder.
Since launching the Youth Diversion Fund in August 2021, the Commissioner has awarded more than £300,000 to 100 organisations, enabling them to provide better opportunities for more than 17,360 young people across the region.
The Commissioner is now inviting organisations, charities and community groups to apply for a share of the £50,000 investment to help provide projects aimed at preventing crime and keeping young people engaged and active during the half-term holiday, specifically on Halloween and Bonfire Night.
Grassroots initiatives can each bid for a cash boost of up to £3,000 to be used towards initiatives which are working to divert young people away from anti-social behaviour and crime during a time when it traditionally spikes.
What the Commissioner is looking for:
- Projects which allow the local community to tackle the problems in their neighbourhoods themselves;
- Projects organised by charities, community groups or social enterprises based anywhere in Merseyside;
- Projects which include as many sections of the community as possible;
- Projects that can demonstrate that they will make a difference to their community;
Projects should meet at least one of the Police Commissioner’s priorities:
- Fighting Crime; Proactive Policing;
- Supporting Victims; Safer Communities;
- Driving Change; Prevent Offending.
The Commissioner's fund is administered by the Community Foundation for Merseyside (CFM), which gives individuals and organisations the opportunity to give to deserving causes in Merseyside and Lancashire.
All applications must be submitted online via the Community Foundation for Merseyside by 4pm on Friday 8th September 2023.