Infrastructure body Capacitybuilders has awarded grants totalling £2.27m for the improvement of local resource centres.

Ninety-six charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises have been promised grants of up to £30,000 under the body's Capital Investment Programme. Two hundred and forty-three organisations applied.

It is the second round of small awards given out under the government-funded programme, which is worth £7m.

Grants given out by the programme should be used to carry out physical improvements such as financing additional meeting rooms, office or storage space, or better IT facilities.

Angela Smith, the Minister for the Third Sector, said: "Small organisations can really benefit. They can improve the accessibility and quality of their accommodation and, by pooling their resources and sharing facilities, they can reduce their overheads and concentrate their resources on delivering the services that people and communities desperately need."

Article published in Third Sector Online (21 January 2010): Click Here

To download a list of the 96 charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises awarded funding (PDF Format): Click Here

The Merseyside winners are as follows:
Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services - £30,000
Merseyside Play Action Council - £29,309
Vauxhall Neighbourhood Council Limited - £15,210
The Liverpool Gateway Centre - £26,542
Merseyside Third Sector Technology Centre - £25,695
Neurosupport - £30,000