The ARISE initiative, which provides funding for grassroots groups and organisations in south Leeds, has reached a major milestone.
The initiative which is supported by Land Securities, Evans Property Group and Munroe K, was launched in September 2005 – and the independent awards selection committee has now considered the 300th application.
This was submitted by Hunslet-based off-site education provider INVOLVE which was successful in requesting funding for a project in its iVenture course involving a group of young people from schools in Leeds designing, producing and marketing a product from scratch.
The finished product, a bird feeder made from recycled materials, proved to be very popular both with members of the ARISE board and selection committee and shoppers at the White Rose Shopping Centre when the feeders went on sale there.
Selection committee member Richard Mansell said: “Over the past eight and a half years we have considered some excellent applications from volunteer groups, social enterprises, education and training providers and amateur sports clubs and The INVOLVE project is a fantastic example.
“It shows what can be achieved through enterprise and a different approach to education by engaging with young people outside of the normal school environment and nurturing their creative talents.”
INVOLVE course tutor Peter Pickavance added:
“Without the support of ARISE, we would have been unable to realise the true ambition of our iVenture project.”
Since September 2005, the ARISE selection committee has made awards totalling £213,504 and groups and organisations based in south Leeds are welcome to apply for funding.
To find out more about ARISE or request an application form, contact the Administrator Tim Flanagan on 01423 870134 or by emailing tim@polomediapartnership.com.
