The national Vulnerable Faith Institutions Scheme is currently open until 17 August 2017. Sadly, this is to provide funding for faith centres/places of worship that may be vulnerable to attack by extremists of one sort or another. We wish this was not necessary, and hope that this type of behaviour is rare in Sheffield- but we know it happens, and would like to draw your attention to this funding stream if you feel your meeting place is not the safe place it should be.
The Home Secretary has announced a £1 million fund for faith institutions who are concerned that they are vulnerable to attack on the grounds of race, religion or ideology. The aim of the scheme is to provide physical protective security measures such as CCTV cameras, locks and fencing to places of worship and faith based community centres who may feel vulnerable to such attacks. To be eligible for the scheme you must provide reasonable evidence that premises are vulnerable to and/or have been the target of an attack on racial, religious or ideological grounds.
Bids will be considered from places of worship in England and Wales including (please note this is not an exhaustive list): Mosques; Gurdwaras; Temples; Churches; associated faith community centres (for example a community centre run by a place of worship or near a place of worship that is faith based). A similar commitment has been made to support Jewish community sites through a grant administered by the Community Security Trust.
There is no cap on the amount of money that can be bid for. However, costs must be proportionate to the security measures needed and successful applicants will be required to meet 20% of the total cost of the security equipment.
The scheme opens on 30 June 2017 and closes on 17 August 2017. Bids for funding will be considered by an independent panel who will meet twice. First at the end of August for bids received by 20 July and again in mid-September to review the remaining bids for funding.
To find out more about the fund and to apply please visithttps://www.gov.uk/guidance/vulnerable-faith-institutions-scheme
If you have any questions or need support in completing the application please emailVFI@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
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