Earls Court Development Company launches 180,000 Community Fund

The Earls Court Development Company (ECDC) has today launched the Earls Court Community Fund (ECCF) to support local communities in and around the Earls Court site, with up to 180,000 committed this year.

The aim of the fund is to make a difference to the lives of people in the local area by offering grants to charities and community organisations that provide much-needed projects, services and activities.

Organisations can apply for a grant of up to 15,000 per year and to be eligible,
applications must meet at least one of the three priority areas:

1. Communities and people: Projects that build a strong sense of community and provide opportunities to learn new things, meet new people and feel connected with their neighbours.

2. Health and wellbeing: Projects that help to support the mental and physical wellbeing of the local community, which in turn enable them to build resilience and to flourish.

3. Young people and training: Projects that support young people, some of whom have been disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. This can include activities that support young people’s integration through education, skills development and employability so that they are better placed to access new and existing opportunities.

To ensure that the community can be part of the process of awarding funding, local people will be encouraged to apply to join the selection panel which will review and decide on the applications.

To be eligible for the Fund, a group will need to be a formally constituted not-forprofit organisation either based in the Earls Court Opportunity Area, or directly benefit the lives of those who live, work or study there. For a full list of eligibility criteria, and a map of the Opportunity Area, please visit: earlscourtcommunityfund.com

Rob Heasman, CEO of ECDC said: “By launching the Earls Court Community Fund, we hope to play a small part in improving the quality of life of those living nearby, and helping organisations grow and thrive.”

“We know that some people in the communities around Earls Court have faced tough times over the last few years and the impact of the pandemic has only made things worse. From our early discussions we also know there is some fantastic work already happening, delivering vital support and activities for local residents.”

Applications to the Earls Court Community Fund are now open and will close on 2 August 2021. For more information on the ECCF and who can apply, please follow this link: https://ukcf.secure.force.com/forms/earlscourtcf

Applications to be a Volunteer Member of the Grants Panel that awards funding from the ECCF are also now open until 26 July 2021. Volunteers will help the Fund invest in the most effective proposals whilst ensuring it is transparent, open and fair at all times. We are looking for individuals with a passion for the local community around the Earls Court site and those who can be objective, supportive and willing to express their opinions on the applications for the Fund. For more information, including how to apply, please follow this link: earlscourtcommunityfund.com