Do it for East Yorkshire Community Grant funding still available

Funding is still available to voluntary and community groups in the East Riding to encourage communities to come back together following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Do it for East Yorkshire (DIFEY) Community grant is intended to enable Town and Parish Councils, Voluntary and Community Sector organisations and others to hold events & festivals, organise COVID recovery community activity and extend access to services, all intended to encourage residents back into the community, to utilise arts, cultural and community facilities.

Town Councils, Parish Councils and voluntary or community sector organisations plus others can apply for funding between £500 and £5,000 for activity that:

• brings people back into your community
• one-off events and festivals
• improves access to services
• re-start community activities, such as lunch clubs
• focuses on encouraging people who have been shielding to engage in community activities

The first phase of funding has been a resounding success with £299,982 committed for community-led projects and events since July 2021. There is still just under £145,000 to be granted so don’t delay get in touch with us and start your application.

Using the social value engine, phase one of the Do it for East Yorkshire granted created £12.69 of social value per £1 of grant funding spent, with the total value of benefits to the community totalling £2,606,967,19. More information on social value can be found here: https://socialvalueengine.com/.

Previous success stories from the DIFEY funding include:

Welwick Village Hall - £5,000.00

Welwick Village Hall utilised grant funding to encourage local residents to use the village hall and car park for social and recreational activities following the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding was used on an outdoor BBQ, a bingo machine and implementing child friendly outdoor facilities.

Beeford in Bloom - £1,657.92

The main aim and objectives of the project was to bring the community of Beeford together and launch the Beeford in Bloom project. 
The aim was primarily to help build the community spirit between both young and old by improving the outdoor spaces and encouraging everybody to help with the planting of bulbs/flowers in areas around the village. 
The local school and local businesses such as the village shop, butchers, as well as the Parish Council members, have volunteered to plants spring bulbs in spaces along their own buildings in containers or in the ground against the walls/railings.

Leven Festival - £3,099.80

The overall aim of the Leven Festival was to bring together, in a safe and friendly environment, all age groups in Leven village for a day full of fun, entertainment, displays, stalls, sports, food, ending with a picnic in the park.

Hornsea Biker event - £1,499.77

The Hornsea Biker event aimed to bring the whole community together no matter what your background, age, or race. The event had trade stalls from food, clothing, tombola’s, charity stalls, funfair, collectables, motorbike stalls and exhibits, as well as information stalls.

For entertainment, the event had two live stages. The main band stage had live bands playing all day and the variety stage had dancers, people playing instruments, comedians, and solo singers all day. Money was raised throughout the day for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and two local smaller charities.

Cllr Jane Evison, portfolio holder for economic development and tourism at the council, said: “The Do it for East Yorkshire Community Grant has made a real difference in supporting East Riding communities in coming back together after the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding provides an excellent opportunity for local groups, or Town & Parish Councils to coordinate local events, to engage with local residents or for local groups to simply start up again.”

Please note, Do it for East Yorkshire funding is available to be applied for until 1 November 2022, or until the £145,000 is fully committed. The activity must be completed by 31 January 2023 and claims must be completed by 28 February 2023.

For more information and guidance on the scheme, please visit www.doitforeastyorkshire.co.uk or contact the Local Growth Team via localgrowth@eastriding.gov.uk to discuss eligibility.