£1.7m project will tackle causes of poverty in Herefordshire

Residents in Herefordshire are set to benefit from a new £1.7m fund to be invested in activities which tackle poverty, promote social inclusion and boost the local economy.
Organisations are now being invited to bid to deliver the Building Better Opportunities (BBO) project, which is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund (ESF) 2014-2020.
It is the second of two Building Better Opportunities projects which will run across the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership region, and will be focused on the Herefordshire area.
Fiona Fortune, from the Marches Building Better Opportunities team, said: “This funding will be invested in local activities tackling the root causes of poverty, promoting social inclusion and driving local jobs and growth. Just over £1.7m is available and collaborative bids are being encouraged which include a range of local partners.
“Projects will need to provide pre-employment support within Herefordshire for disadvantaged people aged 19 and over who are not in work. The project will focus on those who are furthest from the labour market, helping them engage in activity to move towards and into employment. “
The first Building Better Opportunities project in the Marches was recently awarded to Landau Limited which will work with around 20 providers across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin to help support people overcome a range of challenges so they can secure jobs.
Further details about the workshop are available on the Marches Building Better Opportunities website http://www.bbomarches.com/
Further details about the Building Better Opportunities funding opportunity and to download and application form please go to the Big Lottery Fund website https://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/esf
The deadline for applications is 12 noon, Monday 27 March 2017.
The Big Lottery Fund has worked in partnership with the Marches ESIF Sub-committee to identify local need and priorities and project outlines have been launched which set out what the project will need to achieve.