The government is urging charities to apply for money to help fund international development projects.

Manx charities can now apply for ’small grant’ funding, from the government’s international development budget.

The total budget allocated for small grants is £270,000 per year, or £540,000 over each two-year funding cycle.

Charities can submit proposals for two-year projects that take place in developing countries, with priority given to countries ranked as ’low development’ on the United Nations Human Development Index.

The objectives of each project will need to target one, or more, of the United Nations’ 17 sustainable development goals.

A government spokesman said: ’A focus on these goals means each project will work towards tackling some of the world’s most pressing issues.’

Those seeking funding will be required to have both a physical presence in the Isle of Man and must be registered under the Isle of Man Charities Registration Act 1989.

Charities will also need to raise a minimum of 10% of the total funding and include details of how the work will be publicised on the Island.

The government will fund up to 90% of the total project budget.

The minimum grant available is £10,000 and the maximum grant available is £100,000.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK said: ’I am pleased to announce that once more we are looking to offer small grant funding to Manx charities to undertake projects in the developing world. This will build on our past efforts to assist local charities in their endeavours to tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues.

’By continuing to fund targeted and effective international development projects, we honour our commitment set out in the Programme of Government to be a responsible, inclusive and caring government, by helping those less fortunate than ourselves.’

Small grants is one of five funding streams administered by the Cabinet Office to distribute the Isle of Man Government’s £2.5 million annual International Development Fund.

All projects funded are required to meet the international development policy objectives as agreed by the Council of Ministers.

The other four funding streams are:

Global Development and Education Awareness Raising Grant - this supports an Isle of Man registered charity, or charities, to address the Government’s policy objective of raising awareness of global development issues throughout the Manx population.

Disaster and Emergency Relief Budget - this is reserved for Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Live Appeals for humanitarian disasters.

International Development Partnerships - this supports four separate larger projects tasked with tackling some of the world’s most pressing matters such as providing greener energy solutions and empowering young girls and women as a means to better society as a whole.

Small Countries Financial Management Programme - this contributes to the growth and prosperity of small countries, through capacity building in the Government financial sector of small developing countries.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on February 8.

The Isle of Man’s Development Education Centre, the One World Centre, will be holding a free workshop on January 19 to provide support to charities interested in applying for small grants funding. The workshop will take place at 10.30am in the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture’s Training Room (next to the One World Centre Office) in St John’s.

For more information email [email protected]

Queries relating to the application process can be emailed to: [email protected] or applicants can telephone 687168.

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