Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell is encouraging local charities and not-for-profit groups to bid for money from a £4m fund supporting efforts to reduce global poverty.
The Global Poverty Action Fund's Community Partnership Window allows small, UK-based organisations to put forward innovative ideas in pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals to help the poorest people around the world.
The bidding process has now opened and closes on July 9th.
Mr Mundell said: "I know there are large numbers of individuals and organisations in Dumfriesshire who spend a lot of time and effort supporting those most in need around the world. The Community Partnership Window of the Global Poverty Action Fund allows them to put forward their ideas to help people the poorest parts of the globe with successful projects receiving funding to turn their vision into reality."
“I know how important such funding and support is to people in poorer parts of the world. Earlier this year I visited Malawi and Thawale Primary School which is linked with my old school, Lockerbie Academy. During that trip I met pupils and teachers at the school, and was also able to see the charity Mary’s Meals in action. This is a charity which many people and churches in my Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale constituency support.
Projects will be selected on the basis of the impact they will have on poverty, clarity of outputs and outcomes, and value for money. The bidding process has just opened and closes on 9 July 2013.
Small UK-based not for profit organisations with an average income of less than £1 million per annum for the past 3 years are eligible and applicants do not have to be registered charities. Proposals will be considered up to a total value of £250,000 and no match-funding is required for the Community Partnership window.
More details, including a concept form to be submitted with the idea, can be found online at https://www.gov.uk/global-poverty-action-fund-gpaf