Leeds groups tackling serious crime urged to bid from £500,000 pot of cash 'recovered from criminals'
Community organisations in Leeds tackling knife crime and gang violence are being urged to bid from a half a million pound pot of money that has been “recovered from criminals”.
The £500,000 ‘People’s Fund’ has been announced by Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, for communities across West Yorkshire to help tackle serious violence.
It will see up to £100,000 made available for each district and allows local groups and organisations to bid up to £10,000. The winning projects will then be decided upon by local residents.
Ms Brabin said it is part of her ongoing work to create a co-produced serious violence strategy for the region.
Ms Brabin said: “This ‘People’s Fund’ will empower local communities to deliver solutions that they know will make the biggest impact.
“By giving them the resources they need at their disposal, we can turn their ideas into action.
“Using this money recovered from criminals, we are investing back into our neighbourhoods, preventing more lives being lost to the scourge of serious violence.”
Submissions to the ‘People’s Fund’ can address any aspect of serious violence, whether it be knife-crime, gangs, organised crime or violence against women and girls.
It comes as the mayor meets community representatives and leaders at an event in Huddersfield today (Wednesday), which forms part of the strategy creation.
Zola Bromley is the chair of the West Yorkshire Community Leaders Network, which will also be supporting the ‘People’s Fund’ and said: “The ‘People’s Fund’ is a powerful statement of trust in communities and their ability to lead solutions to serious violence. Local knowledge and lived experience are critical to effective prevention and strong community-led solutions.
“We see every day how trusted relationships, early intervention, and community-led action can make a real difference.
“Supporting this work, ensures funding reaches the people and places that understand their communities best, with decisions informed by real insight into what works on the ground rather than a one-size-fits-all approach."
Graduates from the latest West Yorkshire Community Leaders Programme will also be receiving their course certificates at the event in Huddersfield.
All terms and conditions for the ‘People’s Fund’ will be on the West Yorkshire Combined Authority website from Thursday (January 22).