HOW THE SCHEME WORKS

Through Operation Gate It Ł2.3 million will be spent helping local groups improve their neighbourhoods.

The programme is managed on behalf of the Anti-Social Behaviour Unit by the national environmental regeneration charity Groundwork working in partnership with BTCV. Groundwork and BTCV are working every day in communities across England to help local groups deliver practical improvements to their environment.

photo : Barrington Street after Gate It work

Funding through Operation Gate It is available to local Groundwork Trusts and local offices of BTCV who submit project proposals based on plans developed in response to the needs of local communities. These plans will be based on an assessment of local priorities and, where possible, will be part of existing local strategies for regeneration or neighbourhood improvement. They are likely to be supported by the local council but may also have been developed in consultation with other agencies such as the police, crime and disorder reduction partnerships or local housing providers.

Groundwork Trusts and local BTCV offices are already working with many community groups to help them improve the quality of life in their area by planning and delivering practical improvement projects and all funding for 2004-2005 has now been allocated.

If you are interested in making improvements in your neighbourhood you might want to contact Groundwork or BTCV to find out whether your ideas can be considered in future years.

photo : alleys

Before you do this you should think about :

Where your project is – most work is carried out in those areas with fewest facilities or greatest levels of deprivation.

Who else is involved – in order for projects to be successful they need the support of all the relevant local agencies and, of course, the rest of the community they are designed to benefit.

What other support might be available – the amount of funding available through Operation Gate It is limited but there are a number of other ways in which local groups can obtain funding for projects.

If your project is not suitable for funding through Operation Gate It or cannot be supported by your local Groundwork Trust or BTCV office, you may still be able to get help elsewhere. You can find more information about how to make your neighbourhood cleaner, safer and greener at www.itsyourspace.org.

Operation Gate It Lockside 5 Scotland Street Birmingham B1 2RR E info@gate-it.org.uk