A MULTI-million pound ‘transparent’ fund is now open for bids.

The new streamlined £2 million pot to help charities, community groups and voluntary organisations was launched this week.

Under a shake-up, funding from Bolton Council, NHS Bolton CCG, Bolton at Home and Bolton CVS will be put into one pot to make the process easier for organisations to access and make it more transparent as the fund will be managed by an independent body.

Executive cabinet member for stronger communities, Cllr Nadim Muslim, said: “The new fund will give more groups an opportunity to apply for funding and the whole process will be led by senior representatives from the sector, with support from the council.

“The sector will have one voice and the process will be streamlined and transparent.”

Known as the “Bolton’s Fund”, applications for grants are now being accepted following the approval of the Voluntary Community Social Enterprise (VCSE) Strategy by Bolton Council’s Cabinet in October.

The first round will focus on projects that help children get the best start in life with funding from £1,500 up to £5,000 being available to “address needs and opportunities in this area”.

Bolton CVS will be managing the grants programme on behalf of partners. Organisations are invited to a briefing session to find out more about the fund.

Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr David Greenhalgh, said: “Our diverse voluntary and community sector plays an invaluable role in our borough and Bolton’s Fund will deliver positive lasting benefits for our communities.

“It will help organisations deliver projects that make a difference to the lives of local people, and I would urge people to come along to the event on Monday to find out more.”

Further information on Bolton’s Fund can be found on Bolton CVS’s website: https://www.boltoncvs.org.uk/big-bolton-fund-grants

The briefing session to find out more will take place on Monday, November 18, 11am to 1pm at The Bolton Hub, Bold Street.