Over 17 local charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises have been awarded £162,668 in grants between them to help provide vital services during the tough economic times.

These awards were made as part of phase two of the Government’s £16.5 million Modernisation Fund.

The Modernisation Fund, which was launched as part of the Government’s Real Help for Communities Action Plan, was set up to help frontline voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises be more resilient and efficient through the recession.

The fund helps strengthen organisations that provide services to those worst hit by the economic downturn by supporting them to collaborate with others, merge, or develop in other ways to respond to difficult times. 

Phase one of the Modernisation Fund Grants programme was delivered accross Merseyside by Greater Merseyside ChangeUp. The first phase of the programme offered grants of £1000 to frontline organisations working in areas of importance to communities affected by the economic downturn. 26 Merseyside organisations were awarded phase one grants which enabled them to access advice and support, focusing in particular on the benefits that organisations may gain from collaboration or merger.

Following this organisations who received a grant could from September apply for a second phase of grants of up to £10,000 to make further progress towards collaboration or merger.

Martin Preston, Programme Manager for Greater Merseyside ChangeUp said: “These awards really will make a difference to these local organisations and should help them to become more resilient and efficient in these tough economic times. This funding will help the organisations to further explore opportunities to work in partnerships and could also assist those interested in mergers."

"Greater Merseyside ChangeUp would like to thanks all those individuals and organisations who have participated in and supported the delivery of this exciting programme throughout Merseyside."

The Modernisation Fund is part of the £42.5 million package of measures announced in the Government’s Real Help for Communities Action Plan in February 2009.

For further information about the Modernisation Fund visit: www.modernisationfund.org.uk