Ever had a good idea to make your community a better place? The Communities First Trust Fund has been set up to provide quick and easy access to money to support any type of activity that involves local people, through small community organisations, taking steps to improve their local area.

Since its inception in 2002, the Trust Fund has supported activities of almost 10,000 groups including clean-ups of local estates, intercultural and community events and the purchase of equipment and community owned facilities.

Applications to the Trust Fund must be made through community groups rather than individuals, and the proposed activities must demonstrate a measure of economic, environmental, social or cultural benefit for people living in the area.

There are over 180 Communities First areas eligible for support from the Trust Fund. To find out of your area is eligible click here, or contact the Communities First Helpline on 0800 587 8898 or email help@wcva.org.uk.

The maximum a group can apply for is £5,000, although there is no minimum amount. There is a fixed amount of money allocated to each Communities First area, and applications will be assessed on a first-come first served basis.

The Trust Fund is currently open for applications and the closing date is Monday 31 January 2011. WCVA is unable to accept faxed or emailed applications and does not take any responsibility for unreceived applications.

Click here to download the Trust Fund guidelines, and here to download an application form.

For further information about the Trust Fund, contact the Communities First helpline on 0800 587 8898 or email help@wcva.org.uk.

The Communities First Trust Fund is a scheme funded by the Welsh Assembly Government aimed at small community led organisations in Communities First areas in Wales. The fund is administered by WCVA.