New funding website to help West Lothian groups

Feb 11 2010 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

A NEW scheme has been set up to help community projects scoop extra cash.

The new Open4Communities grant-finder website has been launched to help West Lothian groups access money for their projects.

The free website offers useful information about a full range of funding, including European, national and local schemes, and can be accessed by all local residents.

It also offers help for people working in the public sector.

The website has been set up by West Lothian Council, in partnership with Midlothian and East Lothian councils, as part of the LEADER rural funding initiative, and uses the J4B database of available grants.

Martyn Day, Executive Councillor for Transport and Development, said: “We know that groups are struggling to find funding in the current economic climate and felt that it was important to support local people to source money for their projects.

“The new Open4Communities site has a huge range of funding available, and it’s very easy to use.”

Jim Gallacher, Chief Executive of West Lothian’s new volunteer organisation, Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian, said: “We are looking forward to having this new and invaluable resource that will be beneficial to local community groups and voluntary organisations.

“J4B is more than a funding database as people can get individualised reports specific to their organisation’s needs.”

The website can be foundat www.open4community.info/westlothian