Leeds launches new fund for community action against extremism

A new scheme to fund projects aimed at tackling violent extremism in Leeds is launched by Leeds City Council today (1 June 2009).

Organisations and community groups throughout Leeds are being invited to bid for a share of £200,000 from the city’s Prevent programme.

The scheme will support new and innovative approaches to tackle the causes and effects of violent and hate inspired extremism within communities and bring about improved cohesion, tolerance, and understanding.

The fund will support schemes which will run between 1 September 2009 and 31 March 2011. There will also be funding available for smaller scale projects of up to £500.

Examples of possible schemes could include:
• Raising awareness of how violent extremists use radical and often misinterpreted views to encourage hate and intolerance of others
• Engaging young people in discussion and debate about issues such as identity, citizenship and extremism using creative media.
• Leadership development programmes.
• Workshops within neighbourhoods looking at violent or hate inspired extremism.

Councillor Richard Brett, leader of Leeds City Council said:
“This excellent initiative will fund activity which challenges the ideology of violent and hate inspired extremists who seek to undermine our way of life in Leeds.”

Councillor Les Carter, executive board member for community safety and chair of Safer Leeds added:
“I urge groups and organisations across the city to apply for funding for schemes which support this aim. We are determined to confront extremists’ ideas head on, as well as to support individuals who might be vulnerable to their messages, and to strengthen the bonds and values which unite all people in Leeds.”

The commissioning period for the Prevent fund will start on 1 June 2009, with a closing date of 5pm on 3 July 2009 for larger grants. There will be three rounds of funding for the smaller grants of up to £500, and the closing date for the first of these rounds ends on 10 September 2009.

Anyone interested can find registration information on the Leeds Initiative website, www.leedsinitiative.org from 1 June, or by telephoning (0113) 224 3361 or emailing prevent@leeds.gov.uk for further information.

Notes:
• Safer Leeds is the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) dedicated to tacking drugs and crime in the city. It is a partnership organisation between a number of local agencies including Leeds City Council, West Yorkshire Police, NHS Leeds, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue and West Yorkshire Police Authority.

/ENDS

For further information contact:
John Donegan
(0113) 247 4450 (mon-wed am) (0113) 395 1510 (wed pm-fri)
john.donegan@leeds.gov.uk