COMMUNITY groups can get the inside track on funding for their projects through East Hampshire District Council’s Meet the Funders event.

At the meeting, which will be held in Alton Community Centre, local clubs and charities can sit down with funding organisations like the National Lottery and the Arts Council to find out how to maximise their funding applications.

Cllr Julie Butler, who is East Hampshire District Council’s deputy leader and the portfolio holder for welfare and community integration, said: “There are lots of different funding streams for local groups to tap into but they often require different criteria to be met or are looking for particular types of projects.

“If you don’t have any support, navigating your way through them all can be quite a minefield.

“That’s why our Meet the Funders event is so valuable to local organisations.

“You can discuss your own project and find out the best channels to get the funding you need.”

Funding organisations confirmed to attend the event, which will be held on Wednesday, March 30, are East Hampshire District Council, the Arts Council, the National Lottery Community Fund, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation and Energise Me.

The event will begin with a short talk from each funder and then there will be bookable, one-to-one appointments.

An application form to take part in the day can be found on East Hampshire District Council’s website at www.easthants.gov.uk/meet-funders Applications must be submitted by February 4. For details call East Hampshire District Council community officer Beth Daly on 07570 951334 or email her at [email protected]