Westfield East Bank Creative Futures Fund launches small grant scheme
A small grant scheme to kickstart projects, business and start ups and people’s employment opportunities through skills and qualifications in the boroughs of Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest opens this August.
The Small Grant Scheme, part of the new Westfield East Bank Creative Futures Fund, will offer grants between £1,000 and £5,000 to fund projects and activities centered around arts, culture, innovation or creative placemaking that focus on education, skills or training.
The fund will open on 19 August 2020 and will accept applications until 28 September 2020. The fund positively encourages applications from marginalised communities. Individuals, community groups, and small businesses and organisations can apply.
The Small Grant Scheme is funded by Westfield Stratford City and is part of the new Westfield East Bank Creative Futures Fund, an ambitious five-year programme that will invest £10 million in to local communities of Newham, Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Waltham Forest, delivered by Stratford-based charity Foundation for Future London.
Westfield Stratford City’s £10m sponsorship of this programme was announced in July 2019. The Small Grant Scheme is the first in a series of funds that will be available to people and organisations in East London.
The Small Grant Scheme aims to support projects in arts, culture, innovation or creative placemaking that:
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Grow new ideas
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Encourage business start ups and new community projects
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Develop new business ideas
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Develop existing projects and businesses
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Help people gain a qualification, skill or training that leads to improved possibilities
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Improve health and wellbeing, community sustainability
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Reflect and/or showcase community heritage, culture and diversity
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Counteract impacts of COVID-19 and support resilience
Alyson Hodkinson, General Manager, Westfield Stratford City says:
“Westfield Stratford City is proud to be the Founding Partner and Official Sponsor for the Creative Futures Fund. We are delighted to be supporting local talent, providing access to new career opportunities and important training for people with big ideas within our communities. Westfield Stratford City sits at the heart of the East London and we welcome many creative and entrepreneurial visitors through our doors every day. The Small Grants Scheme will bring these great ideas to fruition as our community continues to become a key destination in the capital.”
Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, says:
“Supporting local creativity is at the heart of our East Bank vision. Culture is part of our DNA in London and will play a key role in our economic recovery from Covid-19 — that’s why it is more important than ever we get behind it. This fund will be a real boost to grassroots projects in east London, supporting local talent ahead of East Bank opening its doors in a few years’ time.”
Maria Adebowale-Schwarte, CEO, Foundation for Future London says:
“Investing in diverse communities, people, and businesses is at the heart of Foundation for Future London’s work. With the significant support of Westfield Stratford City, the new ‘Westfield East Bank Creative Futures Fund’ we are pleased to kickstart the small grant scheme during these difficult times to support local economies, jobs, skills and places.”
Sarah Nelson, Programmes and Communications Director, Foundation for Future London says:
“The Small Grant Scheme is a great opportunity for local people in East London to realise their dream job, project or business idea. The funding can help with your marketing, test out business ideas, get mentoring or professional advice or even get qualifications. Apply now to start or continue your journey in the arts, culture, innovation or creative sector.”
Westfield East Bank Creative Futures Funds Small Grant Scheme, is open now until 28 September 2020. For more information and to apply, please see https://futurelondonfoundation.org/westfield-east-bank-creative-futures-fund
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