A £1.5 million funding pot set aside by Essex County Council for community projects across the county has attracted over 175 bids from community groups, sports clubs, youth groups, parish councils and charitable organisations.

The Community Initiatives Fund (CIF), which has reached its 10 year milestone, enables local communities in Essex (excluding Southend and Thurrock), to bid for up to £20,000 to turn their community project dreams into reality.

From now until the end of November, dedicated selection panels comprising representatives from parish and town councils, local CVS (Community Voluntary Service) and other voluntary and charitable organisations from across the county’s local areas will meet to consider each application received for their locality.

Cllr Simon Walsh, Cabinet Member for Waste and Environment who leads the CIF programme, said: “With 177 bids on the table, we really do have our work cut out this year and we’re delighted there has been so much interest from across Essex. Every year it’s a real pleasure to uncover so many inspiring and well-planned projects that, with support from Essex County Council, will clearly transform lives for so many people.

“We now have a duty to ensure we invest wisely to bring the maximum benefit to the widest number of people of all ages and abilities. We look forward to announcing the successful projects by the end of the year.”

Since CIF launched ten years ago, almost £20 million has been invested by Essex County Council into a diversity of community projects that seek to protect or improve the social, environmental or economic well-being of their local areas. Successful projects from previous years include new play equipment, village hall refurbishment, community gardens and nature reserves.

For more information visit www.essex.gov.uk/cif