Dear Tony
Applications for Community Voices grants are now open!
We will be selecting 26 community projects to receive funding of either £1,500, £7,000 or £14,000, as well as support from digital mentors to help you make a difference in your community. Apply by 28 February 2010 to be considered for a grant.
You can apply online, in writing by downloading our Application Form, and we will also be distributing printed application forms through various partners. Contact us if you would like one mailed to you personally or to find out where you can pick one up in your area. We hope you find the application and accompanying help notes straightforward, and if you have specific difficulties with written applications, we can also assist you with other options.
It's been great to speak to many of you about your existing and proposed projects over the last few months, so you may be ready to apply immediately, but if you would like to develop your ideas further you can read about other inspiring work in communities, on our new Community Voices website.
As always, we are here to help you with your queries, and to continue sharing support, ideas and stories of fantastic digital media projects, so email or call us on 0207 217 3751.
Our Frequently Asked Questions also provide more information.
Warm regards,
Jessica Medling
Head of Content and Digital Projects
Media Trust
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 We're funding and supporting communities to make a difference with the help of digital media.
Community Voices is about supporting communities to find a voice and make it heard using digital media, with a specific focus on isolated and disadvantaged communities.
We'll personally help you understand what digital media is all about and how we can help through access to funding and digital mentors, free top tips, practical guides, and training and support, from making films and using multimedia to taking your community online. Find out more about how you can benefit
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 What projects are we looking for?
We're looking to fund 26 community-driven projects that help to address issues of isolation and disadvantage with the help of digital media. Communities will be selected based on the strength of their overall proposal, and we're keen to represent a diverse range of communities, projects, and digital media across England.
You don't have to have an official status as an organisation, you could be an individual applying on behalf of your community. Alternatively, examples of organisations who can apply in partnership with or on behalf of a community could include charities, social enterprises and local authorities, so you may want to forward this to others.
Applications do not have to be about creating a digital media project directly like a film, community radio station, or social network, as long as you can propose how harnessing digital media can make a positive difference in your community through your activities. Read our Help Guide for more information before applying.
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 Supporting your community with your skills
Support from digital mentors lies at the heart of Community Voices, so if you or your organisation have digital media experience and skills and would like to get involved, please contact us to volunteer or discuss partnership opportunities
There are many ways in which you could help to make a huge difference, especially working with a disadvantaged or isolated community, and sometimes people don't realise how valuable what they know is, so talk to us! Opportunities can include links with your CSR programme, collaboration with your current work with communities or with initiatives relating to digital media or digital participation.
You can also find out more and Get Involved here
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 How else can we help?
Aside from grants available, there is a wealth of free communications support for communities and nonprofit organisations through our Media Trust services.
Get free professional support from our mentors and volunteers on anything from setting up a Facebook page to taking your first steps in digital filmmaking, and many other media, marketing and communications projects. Book subsidised training on digital media, marketing and communications. Help your community story hit the headlines, locally, regionally and nationally with our unique Community Newswire parntnership with the Press Association. Access our free online resources, including handy top tips to get you started.
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| Inspiring Winners
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Media Trust has been celebrating and awarding excellent digital media work that is already going on in communities, and sharing their stories with you. Find out more about the awards and the winners so far. Your community could also win a £500 Inspiring Voices award.
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| Improve your digital skills
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Get your voice heard through the millions of other messages, by upgrading your communications skills this spring.
Cultivate your online community and get superb advice on building blogs or getting your videos out there!
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| Community Voices out and about
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We will be holding an Introduction to Digital Media workshop at BBC Merseyside on 2nd February, 10.30 - 12.30. Find out how your community can benefit from digital media and how you can apply for Community Voices funding. To book your place call BBC Merseyside 0151 794 0984.
Kim has also been visiting community groups across England including Norfolk, London and Birmingham most recently.
Read all about it on our blog, email Kim or call her on 020 72173749, she would love to meet you!
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| We're here to help!
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The Community Voices Team is here for you.
020 7217 3751.
communityvoices@mediatrust.org
Read our blog
Become a fan on facebook
Follow us on twitter
Join our Social by Social ning group
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