GRANTS of up to £5,000 are available for projects that bring communities across Dorset together.

Anyone looking to kickstart a new project that will make a difference for people in the community can apply in round 5 of the Community and Culture Project Fund.

The grants, which are managed by Dorset Council, welcome applications for projects and events for community, arts, accredited museums, heritage, sport, youth, play and physical activity.

Last year the grants supported a wide range of local projects including arts and crafts, physical activities, sports clubs, warm spaces, foodbanks, lunch clubs and cost of living support for childcare places.

Not-for-profit groups who meet funding criteria are welcome to apply for the grant, which can fund up to £5,000 towards a project that will have a social impact and support local communities and hard-to-reach groups.

A total of £54,420 was awarded to heritage, museums, and arts organisations across the county last year.

In addition, 27 grants worth a total of £64,970 were awarded to voluntary and community organisations that work with disadvantaged, under served and marginalized communities in the Dorset council area.

Cllr Laura Beddow, Cabinet member for Culture, Communities and Customer Services, said: “I am very pleased we can provide these small but vital grants to promote a wide range of cultural, heritage and physical activities that enrich the lives of people who live and work in Dorset.

“The scheme has been a real success story over the past couple of years with many exciting projects being supported by the grants to build and develop our communities.

“We look forward to making many new grant awards in the coming months.”

The closing date for applications is Sunday, July 7, at midnight and decision letters will be sent to all applicants at the end of July.

Visit www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/-/community-and-culture-project-fund for more details and to submit a grant application.