Deadline for Last Few Community First Panels to Register

Community First is an £80 million programme which contains two elements:-

•  A £30m neighbourhood grant programme; and

•  A £50m programme designed to encourage the development of local endowments to be a long-term source of grants and other social investments. Through leveraging private sector investment on a two for one match, we expect this to be worth £140 million plus gift aid by 2015.

To access the neighbourhood grants each eligible ward has been asked to set up a Community First Panel. These panels will raise awareness of the programme and work in the community to create a plan for how they will match and spend the money. The panel will make recommendations to CDF, who as administrator of Community First, on behalf of OCS, will release funds provided the panel is able to demonstrate community involvement and support for the plan. To be effective, these panels need to be genuinely representative of the community and credible in the aim of using the funds strategically. Each Panel will be asked to also nominate a Panel Partner who will validate the Community First Panel on the ground and confirm they are using the funds appropriately.

To access funding, which is now available, Community First Panels must first be created and registered on-line with CDF by 31 May 2012. Registration is open and Panels should register on the website at www.cdf.org.uk/web/guest/community-first

540 panels across England are already up and running.

There are still 50 wards which are eligible for funding, please check this list to see if your ward is included.

For any queries on the programme please contact: CommunityFirst@cdf.org.uk