New funding initiative for flood resilience in Somerset

Communities in Somerset will soon have access to annual grants totaling up to £200,000 to support efforts in combating flooding. The Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA), established following severe floods in the county ten years prior, has introduced this initiative. Eligible groups will be able to seek grants ranging from £3,000 to £20,000. This funding aims to empower individuals with local insights into flooding issues and is specifically directed towards not-for-profit entities, including town and parish councils, as well as charitable organizations. Councillor Mike Stanton, who chairs the SRA, stated that the program demonstrates the organization is “putting our money where our mouth is”. He further remarked, “As it says in the SRA’s strategy, one quality that sets the SRA apart is its practical enthusiasm for ideas that come from communities for dealing with flooding problems.” He also anticipated that the fund would be “very popular,” attracting significant interest from numerous groups throughout the county. The deadline for submitting applications for the initial round of grants is 25 February, with successful applicants slated to receive funding starting in April. An additional three funding rounds are scheduled for the following year. Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.