As many as 17 community projects in Watford could receive substantial funding via the town's Neighbourhood Grant programme.

Recommendations for this year's beneficiaries who will benefit from a £249,000 grant will be put forward at Watford Borough Council's Cabinet meeting on March 4.

The grant is financed from a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), paid by property developers as part of new housing ventures in the borough.

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The aim is to boost local projects mitigating the impact of new construction activity, ensuing residents can enjoy the fruits of sustained growth in the region.

Watford mayor Peter Taylor said: "It’s great to see so many local organisations have taken advantage of the grants available.

"The funding is supporting projects that will make a real difference to the lives of people in our communities.

"It has also been brilliant to see the wide range of proposals from our diverse community, helping people get more actively involved in their neighbourhoods." 

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Final decisions on grant awards are to some extent influenced by public opinion.

In a recent local poll, 2,113 participants selected their preferred projects.

These include:

•    One YMCA: Creating ICT Suite in Charter House for employment training (£30,000)
•    Safer Watford: Enhancing Victoria Passage for accessibility and town vitality (£76,000)
•    Watford Community Housing: Upgrading play space in Foxhill (£12,500)
•    Watford & Three Rivers Trust: Improving community facilities at The Barn (£17,676)
•    Watford Area Arts Forum: Workshops on 'the planet' and recycling benefits (£3,000)
•    The Watford Gurwara: Establishing a phone box library with free books (£12,000)
•    Goods for Good (Global): Training program for Watford Hostel residents (£4,842)
•    Random Cafe CIC: Café accessibility improvements (£9,840)
•    Friends of Lanchester: Funding for year-round use of an adventure playground (£10,000)
•    Home Start Watford & Three Rivers: Additional family support in Central Watford (£4,695)
•    Nascot Residents Association: Community-designed ward sculpture (£3,000)
•    Watford Mencap: Accessible soft play building for children with disabilities (£20,000)
•    Pump House Theatre: Upgrades for improved access and facilities (£14,255)
•    West Watford Community Association: Centre visibility enhancements (£4,222) 
•    Watford Workshop: New mezzanine level for disability support (£20,000)
•    West Herts ABC: Boxing sessions targeting disadvantaged youth (£5,000)
•    Friends of Oxhey Park: Defibrillator installation at café (£2,663)

The next funding round is slated to open for applications again in the summer of 2024.

Potential applicants can gather further information by email in the meantime via NCIL@watford.gov.uk or watfordneighbourhoodgrant.commonplace.is.