Community groups urged to bid for Sefton Crowd funding

An incredible community led scheme which funds ideas that create more vibrant, resilient and connected communities is set to return for 2022.

The community project funding opportunity is part of Sefton Crowd, a council initiative that aims to give anyone who lives locally with ideas about how to improve their area the opportunity to gain funding via the UK’s leading civic crowdfunding platform Spacehive.

The aim is simple – to fund and deliver exciting and innovative ideas to improve Sefton put forward by the local community, for the local community.

The council has an allocated a dedicated fund of £50,000 for projects taking part in the programme, where there is an opportunity for local projects to get a pledge from the Council of up to £5,000

Now groups are being invited to submit their ideas for new projects by April 27, 2022. Successful projects will support Sefton Council’s 2030 Vision, but this year we are also looking to support projects that look to help residents and communities in tackling the climate change crisis in Sefton.

From wildflower meadows to virtual music festivals, Sefton Crowd is helping people bring their ideas to life.

A spokesperson for Everton Volleyball, who benefited hugely from Sefton Crowd, said “"The support from the council is a real boost for the team that has been working so hard on the campaign!

“We will be able to do amazing things for the community and all the members will be super grateful".

The deadline to put forward your idea for this Round is Wednesday 27th April.

Spacehive will also lead a programme of events for anyone who is interested in learning a little bit more or might want to test or discuss ideas that they would like to put forward first.

A special Project Creator Workshop to learn more about the initiative will be held on Wednesday 8th March, 12.00 noon – 1.00pm and you can book a place here.

Sefton Crowd forms part of a new approach to civic planning by Sefton Council which sees crowdfunding as a key channel to involve communities and local organisations in regeneration.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: "This will be the seventh round that we are supporting and we have already seen some incredible schemes and ideas brought to fruition.

“We will be looking to support projects that answer our call for ideas which benefit local people and communities.

“I’m also calling on companies and foundations to join us in offering support - whether funding or in-kind - to the ideas people post on the platform so we can work together to make them a real success. The more people that get involved in Sefton Crowd the more amazing places we can create together.”

If you are interested in taking part in the next funding round of Sefton Crowd, as a funder or to fund your own project, please visit www.spacehive.com/movement/seftoncrowd or email [email protected].