DON’T miss out on your chance to apply for up to £20,000 from Essex County Council’s Community Initiatives Fund (CIF).

The deadline for expressions of interest for this year’s round of funding is Friday, 26 August 2016.

Applications are welcome from community groups, sports clubs, parish councils and charitable organisations within Essex (excluding Southend and Thurrock).

Successful projects from previous years include new play equipment, village hall refurbishment, community gardens and allotments, nature reserves and village signs. The fund helped over 160 community groups last year.

If successful at the expression of interest stage, applicants will be invited to submit a full application by Friday, 21 September 2016. Decisions will be made throughout November by local judging panels in each of the 12 districts.

The judging panels are made up of representatives from parish and town councils, local CVS (Community Voluntary Service) and other voluntary and charitable organisations.

Cllr Simon Walsh, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste said: “The Community Initiatives Fund is a great example of how Essex County Council is encouraging and supporting communities. I would urge those who wish to bid for a share of this fund to apply to avoid missing out on this excellent opportunity.”

For more information and details on how to apply for funding visit www.essex.gov.uk/cif.