Grants and Funding

Elected Members in Sandwell have access to four small funding streams for activities and events that help support the residents in their ward and town.

Events and projects across Sandwell are funded via many different budgets: 

• CIL Funding – The Community Infrastructure Levy is a charge applied by the council on new building developments in the area. In Sandwell, 15% of these funds can be spent in the local community. Community Infrastructure Levy Grants of up to £5,000 are available to community groups to enhance their work.  
 
Find out more about Community Infrastructure Levy funding.
 
All applications for grants funded by Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) require a public consultation. View and comment on the current consultations. 
 
• Ward Member Budgets – Each ward member (local elected councillor) has their own budget which they allocate on projects or events within their ward to help support their ward priorities. 

Each ward member has an annual budget of £2,000.

For more information, find your local councillor and contact them directly.
 
• Neighbourhoods Support Budget – The Neighbourhoods Support Budget is available to Elected Members within the town to solve issues they identify which are affecting our residents. Where an issue cannot be solved with the other available funds, the Neighbourhoods Support Budget ensures that we are pro-active in supporting our residents. Each Town has an annual budget of £10,000.
 
• Events - Across each Town there is a small Events budget which is allocated by Elected Members to fund events that bring communities together. Each town has an annual budget of £5,000.

Find more information about running an event in Sandwell

West Smethwick Enterprise stay and play group

The group were awarded CIL funding of £2,450.29 

West Smethwick Enterprise received CIL funding for their free stay and play group. The stay and play sessions are an inclusive and fun environment for families within the community of Smethwick. Providing learning opportunities for the children to build on their social and communication skills by socialising with their peers and other adults.

The sessions also allow parents to spend time with their child and other parents helping to reduce social isolation.

The Family Support Service will also be available during the stay and play sessions to help families with a wide range of difficulties they may be facing. 

With the new resources purchased, West Smethwick Enterprise will be able to continue providing these free stay and play sessions for many years to come with approximately 400 people benefitting.

Cape Community Day Care Centre kitchen and safety equipment

The group were awarded CIL funding of £3,832.98

Cape Community Day Care Centre is an established Day Care Centre of over 27 years run by a volunteer team.  The Organization supports bringing vulnerable beneficiaries from local migrant communities together.

Many of the beneficiaries have a mental and/or a physical disability and are elderly. The organization also offer a seasonal Youth Creation Youth Club.

Due to COVID-19 regulations the number of people able to use the services is severely affected when the Day Care Centre has re-opened.

To reduce the impact this will have on these vital service Cape Community Day Care Centre have received Community Infrastructure Levy funding to purchase room dividers, hand sanitizer and to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on service users.

The CIL funding has also allowed the organization to purchase a new cooker which has helped with enabling the group to cook and supply healthy meals to the vulnerable

African French Speaking Community Support (AFSCS)-Training room computing equipment

The group were awarded CIL funding of £3,358.74

African French Speaking Community Support have received CIL funding to upgrade their training room with 6 computers and one printer.

This new ICT equipment will support residents to gain new digital skills. Giving residents confidence to go online for various reasons, such as: shopping, filling in forms, internet banking, using zoom, Skype, Microsoft teams, face book and supporting children as well.

The project aims to support numerous residents with limited English and poor digital skills, with completing online applications, including Universal Credit, council tax reduction, housing benefits and job searches. Furthermore, the free delivery of basic computer and digital skills classes will be undertaken by permanent staff at the organisation and volunteers.

The Abrahamic Foundation-Move On Up

The group were awarded CIL funding of £3,323.40.

CIL funding was approved for the Abrahamic Foundation as a contribution towards the repair of their lift which has been out of action for the last 5-6 years. The organisation is based on the High Street in Smethwick.

When the lift is repaired this will enable disabled people and people with mobility issues to access all areas of the building again.

From when the lift is repaired. This will enable more people into the community centre as the top floor will be accessible again. This will lead to local people taking part in more activities and sessions such as a youth club, adult learning courses and fun days etc.

Bearwood Home Gardeners and Allotment Association-Replacement of roof to main storage unit / meeting space, usually known as ‘the shop’

The group were awarded CIL funding of £4,320.00.

Bearwood Allotment Association is an Allotment group that offer the benefits of healthy outdoor activity and food production to all members of the Association.  There are over 110 plots that make up Bearwood Allotments.

The Association have received CIL funding for the replacement of roofs to 2 adjoining buildings. Unfortunately, the organisation has suffered with break-ins around 8 times over the past 12 months.

With the replacement of the roofs, the group look to prevent people from breaking into the buildings. By having more secure storage the group intend to undertake open days and attract new members to rent plots.

Special Olympics Sandwell-Aim High & Achieve 

The Group were awarded CIL funding of £2,960.93.

Special Olympics Sandwell was set up in January 1983 to provide sporting opportunities for people with intellectual / learning disabilities aged 7 years and over. Special Olympics Sandwell are an accredited Branch of SOGB (Special Olympics Great Britain).

Special Olympics Sandwell applied for funding to purchase new Athletics, Kwik Cricket and Badminton equipment.

This has enabled the organisation to offer a wider choice of sports for the community.

SPMA-Going Online

The group were awarded CIL funding of £2,756.88

SPMA is a registered charity that serves the needs of the local community by providing a mixture of different services.

SPMA has received CIL funding to purchase tablets and tablet covers which has enabled them to run ICT sessions free of charge for the community. 

The sessions will help the local community to learn how to use tablets and to navigate the digital world by developing ICT skills

Sur Sangam Music And Arts-New musical instrument equipment

The group were awarded CIL funding of £1,431.69.

Sur Sangam Music and Arts is a small organisation that teach the community to sing and play instruments. 

The organisation has been successful in receiving CIL funding to purchase a sound system. This will enable them to put on performances at Windmill Community Centre, as well as improving their rehearsal activities.

These items have allowed the group to showcase the members skills by putting on extra performances for the community. .

Ileys Community Association-Connection

The group were awarded CIL funding of £4,428

Ileys CA is a thriving multipurpose community resource that provides a wide range of services, activities, and meeting spaces for people of all ages. 

The organisation noticed there was a demand in the community for ICT Training and access to ICT equipment. 

Ileys has been successful receiving CIL funding to purchase 12 desktop computers and anti-virus software.

This has enabled them to put on free ICT skills sessions Mondays and Thursdays 10am-12noon where they deliver basic ICT skills training.
 
As well as the ICT skills sessions the organisation has provided a 7-day service where the community can access the computers for any of their needs and in particular, supporting their Job Club users.

Gambian Islamic Community Centre-GICC YOUTH CLUB

The group were awarded CIL funding of £2,038.92

Gambian Islamic Community Centre was formed approximately 13 years ago with the purpose of providing a safe space for the local people to be able to engage, interact and complete activities.

The organisation runs two, weekly youth clubs, one for males and one for females, both are free of charge. There are approximately 35 children in total that attend.

The organisation has been successful in receiving CIL funding to purchase boxing equipment, a PlayStation, PlayStation games, football table, Jenga, Connect Four, Monopoly, chess and other board games.

This equipment was identified via a consultation with members of both youth clubs, as the groups had minimal facilities.

This equipment has enabled the young people to get involved in a range of activities including active sports and various games.

This equipment will encourage more young people to become a part of the youth clubs and increase their social activities in a safe environment.

The Abrahamic Foundation-Chairish the Future

The group were awarded CIL funding of £4,410.00

The Abrahamic Foundation is a well-established registered charity which formed in 2009. The purpose of the organisation is to make a difference in the community for different parts of the community.

The organisation has recently purchased the building next door to the Abrahamic Foundation due to reaching capacity at their current location. 

The Group have made improvements to the building to make it a useable space, which they want to develop into a permanent base for their youth-based activities. 

The organisation has been successful receiving CIL funding to purchase 40 foldable chairs and 40 stackable tables.

This equipment has enabled the organisation to deliver their youth provision at the new building and encouraged more youth engagement.