Community projects in North Wales urged to apply for share of £60k fund
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The Your Community, Your Choice initiative, supported by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), North Wales Police and North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT) returns for 2023-24, with a grand total of £60,000 available for community projects across North Wales. Your Community, Your Choice (YCYC) sponsors grass-roots projects that bring people and organisations together with the aim of creating a safer environment for all.
Your Community Your Choice celebrated ten years of funding projects in 2023, and over that time a total of £547,705 has been awarded to 174 projects across North Wales working to support the priorities in the Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan.
The funding available to winning projects for the next round of the initiative is £60,000, which will be shared across 21 projects. Community groups in each county can apply for up to £2,500 and organisations working across three or more counties are able to apply for up to £5,000.
The funding for Your Community, Your Choice comes partly from money seized by the courts through the Proceeds of Crime Act with the rest from the Police and Crime Commissioner.
The application window for this year’s initiative will open on 16th November 2023 and closes on 11th December 2023. Details on how to apply can be found on the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner website and social media channels as well as the PACT & North Wales Police website.
A shortlist of applicants will then be chosen by a panel consisting of the Police and Crime Commissioner, as well as PACT and North Wales Police representatives. The winners will ultimately be decided by a public vote, which will take place in January.
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said: “As we enter a new round of Your Community, Your Choice funding, I am looking forward to a fresh wave of applications for innovative and inspiring projects from across North Wales.
“I would encourage anyone involved in a community initiative to apply for funding to invest in your neighbourhood and help reduce crime. Since taking up office as PCC, I have seen many exciting and rewarding projects receive funding, and it's a real pleasure to support their growth and continued impact.”
PACT chairman Ashley Rogers said: “As we launch the Your Community, Your Choice application window for this year, I'd like to express my pride in being a part of this ongoing initiative. The projects that received funding in previous years have demonstrated their remarkable value to local communities, and I look forward to seeing this continue this year.
“Once again, there is substantial funding available, and we are aware of the challenges many community organisations and projects have faced in the past year. With this significant funding opportunity, I hope to see as many community initiatives as possible step forward and apply.”
North Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Chris Allsop said: “North Wales Police is committed to fostering safer neighbourhoods, and the Your Community, Your Choice initiative has a significant amount of funding available to support innovative ideas and projects. We believe that by working together, we can make an impact on crime prevention and support communities at the same time.
“We encourage all individuals and organisations with a passion for their community to submit their applications and join us in making North Wales more a more secure place for all.”
For further information on how to apply go to www.northwales-pcc.gov.uk, social media channels or the PACT & North Wales Police websites or contact us via:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01745 588516