PROJECTS in central and east Oxford have been given another chance to claim thousands of pounds in funding.

The People’s Budget has begun the process of handing out money for the third year after making £17,000 available for 2015.

But only about half of that, £9,000, will be available this year due to Oxfordshire County Council removing ‘ward’ budgets for its councillors.

The application process for 2016 funding will begin this month when leaflets are posted through doors in St Mary’s and Iffley Fields city council wards.

Schemes which can improve social, economic or environmental wellbeing in the area are invited to apply, with leaflets set to be distributed in Carfax and Holywell in September.

This means the Green Party, which runs the scheme, will only be able to provide the money through its city councillors’ ward budgets.

Oxford City Council Green Party leader Craig Simmons said he hoped the scheme would be as big a success this year as in the two previous years it has run.

He said: “We do not want to predetermine the organisations which will apply.

“We imagine the Cowley Road Carnival will put in for funding again and they are very welcome.

“But other groups, including food poverty groups, have some suggestions and we also had some of the cycling groups.

“It is a very simple form to complete, just a few pages and we will provide help for completing the forms.

“It is for small grants that really will make a difference to an organisation.”

The deadline for applications is the end of 2015 and they will then be assessed before the public is given a chance to vote on which organisations should be given the money at a special event in the new year.

DIY bike workshop Broken Spoke Bike Co-op was given a grant of about £1,000 last year to run a cycle training scheme.

The Pembroke Street organisation was able to offer the workshop to 17 people at a cost of £5 each rather than the £70 it would have cost normally.

Training coordinator Sam Chappell said: “It was an incredible opportunity. I really enjoyed the way there was a democratic process behind it, but it would have been nice to see more members of the community taking part.

“It is for members of the community that need specific grants – hopefully that will happen this year.

“You can put together a clear aim of what you want and how it will benefit the community. It is good practice as well for anyone looking to get into fundraising for their organisation.”

See People’s Budget – Oxford on Facebook or look out for a leaflet.