The High Sheriff of Shropshire has thrown her support behind funding for organisations developing initiatives to help unemployed people across Shropshire.

They are being invited to claim a share of a £1.5 million pot of funding, with grants worth between £5,000 and £20,000 available from the European Social Fund (ESF) Community Grants scheme for projects that will help move unemployed people towards employment, training or back into education.

The scheme has won the support of Dean Harris, High Sheriff of Shropshire, who urged more organisations to get involved and help build confidence and promote greater social integration amongst the unemployed.

She said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for organisations to receive significant funding towards projects, activities, support groups and networks, all of which will help increase confidence, enable personal development and provide motivation for unemployed people who want to bring about change in their lives.”

Funding totalling £500,000 has already been distributed to a number of third sector and small organisations as part of the scheme, which was first launched in January 2020.

However, Telford-based employment and education charity Landau, which is managing the programme, has said there is plenty of cash left in the pot to support further initiatives aimed at helping the unemployed build a brighter future.

Sonia Roberts, chief executive officer of Landau, said: “This is a great opportunity for small organisations to play their part in helping to transform people’s lives. Small and voluntary organisations have the potential to deliver targeted and effective support to those who need it most.

“We look forward to receiving applications over the coming months and seeing the positive impact of the programme in our communities.”

Third sector and small organisations with a turnover of less than £8.5 million and employ fewer than 49 people are eligible to apply for a grant through the programme, which forms part of a multi-million-pound series of measures overseen by the Marches LEP to transform lives across Shropshire.

The programme will run until December 2023 and for information on eligibility and funding criteria visit https://www.landau.co.uk/community-grants/

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