Council’s £200,000 Digital Innovation Fund open for applications

The fund, which launched in 2020, has already given grants 33 projects which have helped local organisations and people to make the most of technology to support their independence, health and wellbeing.

This is the third year of the fund and applications of up to £20,000 per project are welcomed, with the deadline for applications on 1 July. Collaborative partnership bids will be considered for combined funding but would need to clearly demonstrate the added benefit of the collaboration.

Successful applications will demonstrate that they can target the following groups with the funding provided:

• Older people
• Disabled people of all ages
• Informal, non-paid carers
• Refugees
• People on low incomes

The recent Digital Divides report ’Working Toward Digital Equity in Gloucestershire’ found that some areas of the county were more at risk of digital exclusion.

The fund is keen to respond to this report and support people from the above groups who live in the following areas:

• Forest of Dean – Cinderford, Newnham and Blakeney
• Stroud – Town centre, Minchinhampton and Amberley
• Cheltenham – Hester’s Way, Arle and Oakley
• Gloucester – City centre, Westgate, Matson and Robinswood
• Tewkesbury – Shurdington and Badgeworth
• Cotswolds – Moreton-in-Marsh, Stow-on-the-Wold, and central Cirencester

The funded activities can be new innovations or build on existing activity. Applicants will need to show clearly how this enhances or develops any existing activity and how the priority groups will benefit.

Cllr Carole Allaway-Martin, Cabinet member for Adult Social Care Commissioning at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “This fund is a great way to support innovative ideas across the county, and I cannot wait to see more projects apply.

“Technology can play an important role in supporting an individual’s health and wellbeing. We want to support projects that can help even more people across the county to experience these benefits.

“The fund has already supported many Gloucestershire projects and improved digital literacy across the county, while also ensuring residents can be more independent.

“I would urge any organisations that feel the funding can help them to further support the targeted groups to apply to the fund.”

Further information on this grant, including access to application forms, can be found at www.yourcircle.org.uk/Information/Digital-Innovation-Fund.