Twenty-one projects will receive a £9.25million Empowerment Fund to deliver on the key themes of the White Paper, Communities in Control: real people, real power. l which include being active in your community; access to information; standing for office and ownership and control.
Among the successful are:
· Operation Black Vote who plan to use the fund to help increase voter registration and participation among the Black Asian and ethnic minorities;
· the Workers Education Association who will be addressing key barriers to empowerment in deprived communities, through adult education and mentoring;
· the Young Foundation will use the fund to increase the numbers of young people getting involved in public leadership; and
· social Firms UK will focus on using social firms to help excluded and disadvantaged groups back to employment
Hazel Blears said:
"Charities, community groups and social enterprises can offer people real opportunities to get involved in the areas they live and a say in things that matter to them.
"This Empowerment Fund is about acknowledging that key role, which is even more important in these tough times. It will provide real help on the ground supporting the innovative work they are doing for the benefit of communities and local people."
The Government first announced plans for the Empowerment Fund in July 2008. The fund will provide three year grants of either £250,000 or £500,000. The security of a three year fund will help these organisations plan ahead with confidence and they will be expected to show how they make effective use of the financial assistance to expand their work.
