Centro's Social Inclusion Fund assists organisations to address the unmet transport needs of socially excluded groups and communities and helps improve access to key services such as employment, health, education services and/or other social needs (e.g. leisure or access to fresh food).

 

Centro's total grant allocation to distribute to projects is typically £235,000 per annum. There is no upper or lower limit on the amount of funding an organisation may apply for, however the amount must be appropriate/justified and match funding is required.

 

Centro is currently inviting applications for funding.  The application form can be downloaded or hard copies are available on request by calling the Regeneration and Planning Team on 0121 214 7180.

 

 

Community, charity, voluntary groups, public sector and not for profit organisations in the West Midlands are invited to apply for assistance from the fund, providing the organisation can demonstrate evidence of tangible transport benefits the project can provide for the client group.

 

 

The Social Inclusion Revenue Fund has helped a number of initiatives provide innovative solutions to transport needs. Examples of groups assisted include:

• The Elderly

• Youth Groups

• Health Focus Groups

• Minority Groups

• Community/Charity Organisations

• Regeneration Projects

• The Unemployed

• Local Authorities, Primary Care Trusts and Job Centre Plus have also applied for funding and been successful

The range of activities and groups that the fund can support is not limited to the above list and applications are welcome from any eligible organisation or projects that have identified a transport solution to a community/group need.

 

 

The Social Inclusion Fund has helped establish a wide range of projects including:-

• Demand response transport services from isolated areas to key services like hospitals, community centres and leisure facilities

• Support for job seekers to attend interviews and for those recently gaining employment

• Assistants to help the elderly access day care, health services and social activities

• Project workers within organisations to develop practical transport solutions to improve accessibility

• Project workers within community groups to educate young people on ways to reduce crime on public transport

• Project workers to support young people into education, training and employment, where transport is a barrier

• Driver awareness training for voluntary drivers

• Passenger assistants within organisations and transport services for groups where access to key services is currently not provided for

• Travel training projects to provide additional help and support to young people and adults so they can make journeys confidently and safely on public transport

If your organisation would like to apply for funding, an application form can be downloaded or hard copies are available on request by calling the Regeneration and Planning Team on 0121 214 7180.

 

 

Applicants must complete and submit the application form along with appendices 1a and 1b.

Applications must be received by Centro's Regeneration and Planning Team, three weeks prior to the funding review meeting. Meetings are held bi-monthly and dates are available on request.

All applications are subject to an appraisal and assessment process.

 

 

Projects can apply for funding for one year and under certain circumstances up to two years, subject to funding being available. Decisions on all applications will be made by elected members of West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority.

 

Successful projects have to comply with the stated terms and conditions of the Social Inclusion Fund, including: -

• The project and funding for successful applicants will start at the beginning of the quarter (April, July, October, January)

• Successful applicants must provide quarterly financial and monitoring reports for the life of the project

• The payment of grants is subject to the receipt of quarterly reports.

• All projects are open to audit checks and financial scrutiny

For full Social Inclusion Fund terms and conditions, please see pages 3 – 4 of the application form.