Community groups in North West Leicestershire can receive a financial boost to support worthy projects after three grant schemes re-opened.

Available from this Monday, October 26, North West Leicestershire District Council will be accepting new applicants from community groups looking to improve local towns and villages.

The schemes include:

•Small Grants of up to £500

•Coalville Community Chest Grants of up to £250

•Green Grants of £500

The Small Grants Scheme has been designed to support projects that require a one-off payment for equipment or other items that help to improve a service or create an opportunity in the district.

It is open to community groups in the district including uniformed groups and community sports clubs.

Last year, the district council provided £500 towards a training mannequin for West Leicestershire Community First Responder Group, helping the team to develop their life support skills.

The Coalville Community Chest Grants scheme is specifically aimed at encouraging a range of community activities, initiatives and events that meet the needs of residents within the wards of Coalville, Bardon, Snibston, Thringstone and Greenhill.

Friends of Coalville Park recently received funding for the new Wildlife Box Trail which launched earlier this month.

The project was supported by local schools and community groups to design the 10 bird, bee and bat boxes to make up the new trail for local people and families to enjoy.

The Green Grant[,B] funding is for environmentally-focused projects relating to climate change, energy efficiency, community orchards, litter picking, and similar. It is open to all groups and organisations in the district, including parish councils.

For example, Measham Village Hall previously used a Green Grant provided by North West Leicestershire District Council to make the building more energy efficient by installing sustainable LED lighting to reduce the overall energy consumption whilst the hall was in use.

Councillor Andrew Woodman, Portfolio Holder for Community Services at the District Council, said: "These schemes have proved very popular in the past and we have been able to support a number of community projects in North West Leicestershire for the benefit of those that live and work here.

"Community groups across our district are doing lots of amazing things and it's only right that we try to support those efforts.

"Community groups looking for funding for a particular project should get in touch or head to our website to see how our schemes can bring your ideas to life."

More information about all three grant schemes and the application forms are available online HERE