East Herts Community COVID-19 Recovery Grant

Our Community COVID-19 Recovery Grant is specifically set up to support community, voluntary, arts and sporting organisations which benefit the residents of East Hertfordshire. Applications focused in areas of deprivation or supporting vulnerable groups will be considered first.

To apply for a Community COVID-19 Recovery Grant, organisations must show they have been negatively impacted by COVID-19, lockdown and restrictions on social interaction.

This grant is specifically for community and voluntary organisations to ensure they remain viable and sustainable whilst delivering support to residents who have been directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.  This support could be in any number of ways, however you must show how your organisation has been affected by COVID-19 and how you have maintained support to the community for your application to be considered for funding.

Please see the FAQs below to find out more about the recovery grant.

Constituted groups:

Any voluntary or community group or non-profit making organisation or social enterprise where profits are reinvested for community or social benefit can apply, including those already in receipt of funds.   These groups must comply with the following conditions:

  • has an open door membership policy and provides services that are accessible to people from all backgrounds.  However, to promote positive action, this criteria allows organisations who have an occupational requirement to recruit within a protected characteristic to do so, under Schedule 9 exceptions to Equality Act 2010
  • has good governance in place; at least 3 unrelated individuals on the management committee
  • is financially viable with its own bank account (in the name of the group), that requires 2 unrelated people to authorise payments and make withdrawals
  • has obtained written endorsement from the East Herts Councillor representing the ward from which most of the beneficiaries will come. Find Councillor by postcode

Non-constituted groups:

Informal / grass roots / non-constituted groups can apply. They must provide a Mentor Statement from the local East Herts Councillor representing the ward from which most of the beneficiaries will come.  Find Councillor by postcode

To apply for a Community COVID-19 Recovery Grant 2021, projects must demonstrate how they meet at least one of the following priorities and how the changes they want to achieve will contribute to at least one of the following council’s outcomes.

Health for all

We want to see projects that:

  • ensure digital inclusion and the use of new technology, assets and innovation
  • provide activities to support Dementia Friendly East Herts, East Herts Social Prescribing Service (non-medical community based health solutions) and people who are tackling addictions
  • enable all residents to take care of their mental health, achieve a healthy weight and stay active, but especially those affected by COVID-19
  • respond to the adverse effects of COVID-19 and aid recovery

Community issues, including engaging and consulting

We want to see projects that:

  • support residents experiencing loneliness or who are socially isolated or who find it difficult to interact with the community
  • help residents come together to tackle an identified problem
  • create safer and resilient neighbourhoods
  • use outdoor spaces and community buildings effectively, maximising their potential

Arts and cultural activities that increase residents' wellbeing

We want to see projects that:

  • benefit people of groups that don't normally participate
  • reconnect residents to local history and enhance pride in place
  • bring different generations together
  • engage with people from different faiths and black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, supporting them to develop cultural opportunities they can enjoy participating in

Environmentally sustainable and accessible community buildings and green spaces.

  • Reduce the carbon footprint of an asset or organisation
  • enable a new activity or existing activity to expand
  • increase usage of community buildings and outdoor spaces, making it as convenient as possible for more people to get involved in leisure
  • create fit-for-purpose halls that are managed proactively to meet the needs and interests of local residents (community hub)

This is an unrestricted fund for organisations which have been directly supporting the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Examples of what can be funded include:

  • Rent and rates
  • Insurance
  • PPE
  • Equipment
  • IT and subscriptions
  • Covid-19 compliance

Examples of what cannot be funded include:

  • Medical equipment
  • Activities that have the sole aim of promoting  a particular religion
  • Organisations with beliefs that are challenging internal departments’ decisions  or are contradictory to the council’s core values or whose sole aim is to promote a political belief
  • A service that the state or another statutory organisation is obligated to provide such as capital projects in schools or improvements to roads
  • Items which benefit an individual
  • Land or building where ownership (freehold or eligible lease) is not yet established
  • Purchase of items on behalf of another
  • VAT that can  be recovered
  • Maintenance or minor repair work on buildings or spaces
  • General fundraising campaigns
  • Hardship where an organisation is in a crisis which requires a rapid response
  • Commercial ventures
  • Projects that take place outside East Hertfordshire

Application process and deadline

This is a one-off round of funding. Applications must be received by 5pm on 16th February 2022.

All applications and associated documents (see below) must be submitted via email to GrantsAdmin@eastherts.gov.uk, using the application form provided. If you are unable to provide documents to us via email, please contact Claire on 01992531459

Applicants can apply for up to £7,500

Application documentation

Please note: The documents listed below must be submitted with your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered for a grant.

Constituted groups:

  • Written endorsement from the East Herts Councillor representing the ward from which most of the beneficiaries will come.
  • Two quotes for any items of equipment that cost more than £1,000 
  • Constitution (or set of rules) or link to this on your website
  • Safeguarding policy including safe recruitment and training
  • Health and safety policy (if you are proposing an event)

Non-Constituted Groups:

  • Completed Mentor Statement from the East Herts Councillor representing the ward from which most of the beneficiaries will come.  
  • Two quotes for any items of equipment that cost more than £1,000
  • Basic financial information held by the group (if any)

Application assessment

Applications will be assessed by an Officer grant panel and will be scored according to how well they meet the following criteria:

  • Delivering in an area of disadvantage or supporting vulnerable groups
  • Detailed delivery plan and the extent to which you work in partnership with other organisations
  • The sustainability of your organisation
  • The efforts to match fund
  • Impact and benefit to participants / supporting the Council’s priorities 
  • The extent to which your organisation met a community need during the pandemic without duplicating services

Please note that we will be unable to assess any application where mandatory questions are not completed or the supporting paperwork is not submitted. In the instance that an incomplete or ineligible application is submitted, you will be advised that your application is not eligible for funding. This will not prohibit you from applying in future.

Please contact Claire Pullen, Housing and Health Projects Officer (Community Wellbeing and Partnerships) regarding this grant scheme and your application.

Email: claire.pullen@eastherts.gov.uk
Telephone: 01992 531459 / 07923 222606