By Pam McClounie

Last updated at 11:25, Monday, 20 August 2012

A Cumbrian MP is calling on his constituents to get involved in a new initiative called Village SOS.

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The initiative encourages rural villages and small towns to start community businesses that have the potential to breathe new life into their areas and create jobs.

Village SOS is looking to award grants of between £10,000 to £50,000 for enterprising community projects, and any community with less than 3,000 residents is invited to apply.

It has already supported many shops, cafes, pubs, transport schemes, community broadband and energy projects, set up by locals who worked together to breathe new life into where they live.

The deadline for the current round of funding is September 12.

Rory Stewart, MP for Penrith and the Border, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for any village or small town in the constituency to bid for a tranche of very welcome funding.

“It’s an initiative that is extremely relevant to our constituency.

“If your village has an interesting idea for a community enterprise, and has fewer than 3,000 people living in it, please consider applying to become a member village.”

Applications from charities, village hall committees, associations, trusts, co-operatives or social enterprises are welcome, as well as from parish, town or community councils, where it can be evidenced that local residents have clearly shaped the project.

For more information visit www.villagesos.org.uk/

First published at 11:24, Monday, 20 August 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk