THE Tilbury Community-Led Local Development Fund (CLLD) has opened its third round of applications offering funding to organisations that support residents into work.

The programme, part-subsidised by the European Structural and Investment Fund, aims to back organisations that support those living in Tilbury St Chads and Tilbury Riverside and Thurrock Park wards who are unemployed and face considerable barriers to getting into work. The CLLD is a £4.4million programme which will run to March 2022.

Cllr Deb Huelin, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: "This project seeks to reach out to people who need help the most to overcome some of the key barriers to employment, including both physical and mental health.

"Successful providers will support residents to overcome these obstacles and move into jobs, education or training.

"The community are right at the heart of the project, working with private, public and voluntary sector organisations to develop tailored and accessible support services that are right for Tilbury.

"In total, four projects have already been approved from the first two rounds of funding."

The deadline for the third round eligibility questionnaires is Wednesdays 22 January 2020. For more information and to complete a short eligibility questionnaire before this date clink on the red button link below. http://www.strongertogether.org.uk/Grants_for_organisations_25385.aspx

The programme also seeks to help the development of 40 new small and medium enterprises through start-up grants, as well as offering support to existing businesses with funding available for upgrading shop fronts and other improvements. For more information visit: www.strongertogether.org.uk/Business_improvement_grants_25387.aspx