SOMERSET County Council welcomed executives from the Somerset Armed Forces Covenant (SAFC) to a meeting to discuss future funding projects and upcoming events on Thursday.
More local projects have made bids for backing from the national Armed Forces Covenant Fund which has invested nearly £400,000 in the county.
SAFC brings together charities, local authorities, other public sector organisations, businesses, communities and the military in a pledge of support between local residents and the armed forces community in Somerset.
It aims to encourage local communities to support their local armed forces community, promote understanding of issues that affect the armed forces community and encourage activities that help to integrate the armed forces community into local life Community projects with a link to the Armed Forces can apply for grants from the Covenant Fund and anyone interested in submitting a bid is asked to approach the SAFC prior to submitting.
Cllr Christopher Le Hardy, Somerset County Council member champion and chair of the Somerset Armed Forces Covenant said: “Today’s meeting was an excellent opportunity to discuss what we want to achieve in 2016.
"Today also marks the unveiling of the new national logo for the Armed Forces Covenant to help raise the profile and recognition of the Covenant to a wider public audience."
“We have discussed funding applications received in the later part of 2015 and have created an action plan for the New Year.”
“The Armed Forces Covenant is here to help communities with a Forces link. If you are a group or community project with such a link, please get in touch with us now to discuss how the Somerset Armed Forces Covenant can make a difference to you.”
The next window to apply for funding from the Ministry of Defence Covenant Fund for your own community project is set to open in May until the end of June 2016.
Further information on the SAFCC is available via: www.somerset.gov.uk/forcescovenant
However SAFC would like to encourage people not to wait until May to get in touch, if they are interested in applying for a grant they should make contact now for an early discussion.
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