£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 BBO 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.
A workshop is being arranged for anyone interested in applying or being part of a Building Better Opportunities project in Herefordshire Business Solutions Centre on March 7 and Big Lottery will be available to answer any questions.
Further details about the workshop are available on the Marches Building Better Opportunities website
Further details about the Big Lottery funding opportunity and to register your interest please go to the Big Lottery Website
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.
ENDS
For further information contact Amy Bould or Cath Shuttlewood at Be Bold Public Relations on 01952 898051, or email amy@beboldpr.com / cath@beboldpr.com