Wrexham community groups urged to apply for share of £60,000 pot of money seized from criminals

Wrexham: Community groups in Wrexham are being invited to grab some funding to help with their local projects. The initiative, called Your Community, Your Choice, is all about supporting grassroots efforts to make the area safer.

This funding comes from money seized from criminals, and it’s already helped nearly 200 projects with almost £600,000 since it started. This year, there’s £60,000 up for grabs for 21 projects across North Wales. Groups can apply for up to £2,500, while those working in three or more counties can get up to £5,000.

The cool part? The projects that get the most votes from the public will win the funding. They’ve also made the application process easier with a new online form launching on January 13. It’s designed to be user-friendly, so you can save your progress and come back to it later. If you prefer the old-school way, you can still use a Word document to apply.

The money comes from the Proceeds of Crime Act, with some help from Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin. He’s really excited about this funding round and wants to make it as easy as possible for local groups to apply.

PACT Chairman Ashley Rogers emphasized the importance of these community projects, especially now. With the funding available and a simpler application process, he hopes more groups will step up and make a difference.

North Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Gareth Evans added that community safety is a team effort. He’s looking forward to seeing innovative ideas come through the new online system.

If you want to apply, check out the OPCC website or reach out via email or phone. The application window opens on January 13 and closes on February 7, 2025. A panel will shortlist the applicants, and the public will vote on the winners in late February.

If you’ve got a story or something to share, don’t hesitate to reach out to Wrexham.com!