From 1 April 2010, WNC will no longer be making payments by cheque. 

All payments will be made through BACS, on the dates in the timetable below.

If you have a query please contact WNC on 01902 572020.

WNC are offering the following workshops in 2010 as part of the Enterprising Communities project, and in conjunction with key partners in the sector:

Workshop 1 Part A - Saturday 30 January

PORT IN A STORM 

Introducing sustainability and its importance for your organistion.

Workshop 1 Part B - Saturday 27 February

(recommended after attending workshop 1, part A)

IN A SAFE HARBOUR

Exploring funding sources and offering tips for writing good funding bids

Workshop 3 - Saturday 27 March

STEERING YOUR SHIP

A guide to key governance issues to help ensure that your organisation is well run

Workshop 4 - Saturday 24 April 2010

THE MASTER WHIPWRIGHT

Choosing the best legal structure for your organisation

Workshop 5 - Saturday 29 May

 THE BEST CREW ABOARD

Building and maintaining your most valuable resource - volunteers

Workshop 6 - Saturday 26 June

CHARTS AND COURSE

Developing your business plan

Open to all Captains and First Mates!

Contact WNC on 01902 572020 for more details and to register on any or all of the workshops.

** FUNDERFINDER IS NOW AVAILABLE AT WNC!! **

If you are a local group looking for funding and don't know where to turn, why not contact WNC and benefit from the Funderfinder computer program? 

The specially designed programme helps local groups search for funding information for all sorts of projects and from a range of sources, making it very simple to access the right fund for you and your organisation. 

All sessions must be booked. 

Contact 01902 572020.        

Minister for Europe Chris Bryant has visited Wolverhampton as part of his tour of the West Midlands to see how EU funding of 400 million euros has helped the region to thrive.

The MP visited five organisations to see how they have each benefited from the money, meeting representatives from Wolverhampton Network Consortium (WNC), Windsor High School in Halesowen, the University of Birmingham, Smartroof in Solihull and the Bangladesh Youth Forum in Lozells, Birmingham, during a one-day tour.

Mr Bryant visited ASAN Workspace to meet and talk to members and beneficiaries of several projects that had received a share of the cash - distributed by WNC through a community-based regeneration action plan between 2003 and 2006.

The minister met staff from Access 2 Business, The Bilston Redevelopment Project, Bushbury Triangle Neighbourhood Nursery and All Saints Action Network (ASAN) at 'The Workspace' in All Saints Road, which was redeveloped using £85,000 of funds. The facility now houses All Saints Children's Centre together with office space, conference and meeting rooms.

Access 2 Business received £76,450 to develop their disability support centre which helps local people access training, further education and employment opportunities.

The Bilston Redevelopment Project - which supports new businesses in the town, works with community groups and develops training for local individuals - was awarded £452,000.

Facilities and buildings at Bushbury Triangle benefited from more than £500,000 - used to build a new 48-place nursery and renovate adjoining community buildings.

Mr Bryant said: "I'm pleased to see all the benefits that EU funding has brought to the West Midlands including jobs, education and development for our young people and regenerated local communities.

"The West Midlands is an excellent showcase of how European funding has brought real change and development to areas that need it most. It has helped rebuild communities and give young people a focus for the future."

WNC chief executive Betty Taylor added: "We were delighted to be asked to co-ordinate this visit from the minister. WNC is very proud of the European Action Plan's success and of all the projects involved. The impact of the funding on Wolverhampton was huge and the effects are still being felt in the city today.

"It was great for the beneficiaries to be able to talk personally to Mr Bryant about the difference the money has made to their lives and the opportunities it has given them."

The programme created 280 new jobs in the city, training for more than 1,000 residents and 14 new or refurbished community facilities.

WNC is currently working to secure more EU funding for Wolverhampton and the wider Black Country.

To visit the Foreign Office website and find out more about Chris Bryant, Minister for Europe, and his tour of the Midlands, click here

To see more photos click here

Following the successful 2008 Third Sector Development Fund, an new and improved version called the Third Sector BME & Equalities Fund (TSBEF) has been developed in partnership with the Third Sector and is being launched by the City Council on Thursday 22 October 2009.

The fund specification supports the new Equalities Bill, which comes into force next April and means that local authorities will have a duty to address seven areas of inequality. 

Through the TSBEF, smaller Third Sector groups can develop and improve services for minorities and promote and progress equalities within their organisation.  Having a successful project with the TSBEF should also give them greater credibility when applying for large grants or tendering for commissioned services.

For organisations that meet the criteria and can demonstrate a track record of successful project delivery, grants of £10,000 to £30,000 per year, are available for up to three years.

The grants represent a valuable addition to resources for the Third Sector, which makes a very important contribution to the delivery of public services in the city.

The Third Sector is well placed to respond to new and emerging community needs and it is hoped that the TSBEF will help to maintain and encourage growth in the city's third sector, ensuring it is able to thrive.

Applications can be completed online at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/community_living/grants and can be downloaded from 22 October; there is also a link from the home page.  (If anyone does not have access to the internet, a paper copy of the Spec and Proposal can be sent by post).

The fund contact is Kate Millington in the Community Initiatives Team at the City Council - she is happy to discuss project ideas and/or queries about the fund either by phone on 01902 554023, by email to kate.millington@wolverhampton.gov.uk, or personally, by appointment.

The fund closes on Friday 8 January 2010, 4.30 pm.