RESIDENTS and community organisations are once more being invited to apply to Thurrock Council's Community Environmental Development Fund (CEDF), which is offering grants of between £5,000 and £75,000 towards community-led projects.

Through to Sunday 18 September applicants can apply for funding for projects that are focused on delivering long-term benefits to residents and are accessible to all.

Cabinet member for communities and equalities, Cllr Qaisar Abbas, said: "The CEDF is a fantastic opportunity for residents to see their great ideas for making Thurrock the best place it can be to live, work and play a reality.

"Over the past six years the funding has brought to life more than 60 diverse community projects. This includes Thurrock Harriers Athletics Club, Grays that was awarded a grant in 2021/22 to replace their floodlight towers with energy efficient bulbs and mechanisms, and will lead to a considerable reduction in carbon emissions. Thurrock Christian Fellowship were also supported in 2020/21 with a grant that enabled them to enlarge and extend the Foodbank warehouse in Corringham to support our most vulnerable residents, while providing additional space for community events.

"I invite anyone across the borough who has an innovative idea for a project or scheme of work that can bring long lasting benefits to our community to consider applying for a CEDF grant and receive the support of our services to see if and how it can be brought to life."

In the past year successful bids totalling £250,000 have been made by East Thurrock Community Association, Gardner Hall, Thurrock Martial Academy, Ockendon 1st Scouts, Hillside Scouts, Aveley Village Foundation, the Treasure Children Forever pre-school, Impulse Leisure and Chadwell Community Forum,

The applications ranged from installation of a garage door to improve security at a community building, the replacement of a mini bus and the creation of a play area.

Drop-in sessions to answer any queries about the new round of bidding will be hosted in Aveley and Tilbury by the council's community development and equalities team and via Microsoft Teams on four dates:

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• Thursday, 21 July between 6pm to 7:30pm, hosted via MS Teams
• Friday, 22 July between 10:30am to 12:30pm, Aveley Hub (Large meeting room), Recreation Ground Car Park, High Street, Aveley, South Ockendon, RM15 4BY
• Monday, 1 August between 2pm to 4pm, Tilbury Hub, Civic Square, Tilbury RM18 8AD
• Monday, 15 August between 11am to 1pm, hosted via MS Teams

To register your interest for the online sessions, email: [email protected].

For more information and how to apply, visit: www.thurrock.gov.uk/cedf.