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Last updated: 06 July 2009
6 July 2009
Capacitybuilders has announced the award of its 500th bursary in less than a month under the Government's Real Help for Communities Modernisation Fund.
The bursaries, worth £1,000 each, are aimed at frontline third sector groups wanting to explore how collaboration or merger can help them respond to the challenges of the recession. The fund opened on 1 June and organisations have until 17 July to apply. In the Autumn, successful bursary holders are able to apply for a further £10,000 grant to further develop merger and partnership plans.
Last week Capacitybuilders released details of a major survey of the impact of the recession on the third sector, revealing a massive increase in demand for advice and support from third sector organisations. One of the largest increases in demand was for advice and support around partnership and collaboration, with 56% of support agencies registering increased demand.
Angela Smith, Minister for the Third Sector said:
"The Government promised the third sector real help now and that is what we’re delivering. I’m very pleased that Capacitybuilders has enabled 500 organisations to benefit from our Modernisation Fund just weeks after it opened. I also pay tribute to the third sector organisations that have the vision to consider modernisation so that they can do more for the people who need their help"
Matt Leach, Capacitybuilders' Chief Executive said:
“High demand for the Modernisation Fund reflects growing interest across the sector in collaboration and merger as a way of improving services and increasing resilience to the economic downturn.
"We are seeing a particularly high level of interest from smaller organisations working in community cohesion, debt and other advice, and family and mental health support services, reflecting the increased demand from communities for this sort of help as a result of the recession.”
The bursaries will help frontline groups delivering services that benefit people affected by the recession to increase their impact and become more resilient by working more closely with others.