New scheme aims to deliver 'meaningful change' by pairing East Midlands community projects with supportive businesses

Community projects across the East Midlands can enjoy free support thanks to a new scheme.

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward joined representatives from Derby City, Derbyshire County, Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County councils to launch 'Match My Project'.

'Match My Project' is a marketplace platform designed to pair businesses with community-driven projects needing support, boosting the positive impact companies can have across the East Midlands.

Mayor Claire said: “Grassroots community organisations know our region best. Their deep understanding of our communities allows them to deliver real, meaningful change for people. This platform will help them have even more of an impact, by giving them access to vital support and resources.

"This is not just a wonderful opportunity for grassroots organisations, but also for our suppliers and employers, giving them a chance to demonstrate their commitment to improving community wellbeing and addressing social issues.

“We are proud to adopt Match My Project for the purpose of delivering real value to our region.”

The scheme is a partnership approach, involving the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) and its four constituency local authorities – Derby City, Nottingham City, Derbyshire County and Nottinghamshire County councils. The platform is being funded by EMCCA, so is free for community organisations and suppliers to use.

It was launched with a presentation at Nottinghamshire County Council’s County Hall, in West Bridgford, attended by more than 150 representatives from contracted suppliers and local voluntary, community and social enterprises.

Cllr Mick Barton, Nottinghamshire County Council leader, said he was delighted to welcome so many delegates to County Hall and believed the expertise in the room would be of enormous benefit to the region’s grassroot organisations.

Cllr Barton said: “This is the first time Match My Project has been implemented as a region-wide approach. With EMCCA and the four constituency councils all joining the platform as one, we are each doing our bit to lift the region and ensuring communities in all corners of the East Midlands will benefit.”

'Match My Project' has been implemented successfully across other local authorities, such as Birmingham and Cambridge and has already helped more than 1,000 community projects.

Local community groups are invited to request support for their projects via the platform, such as funding, volunteers, materials or expertise.

Suppliers can then browse the projects and ‘match’ with those they can support, delivering the requested support for free.

As well as responding to requests, suppliers can also make offers, by advertising available volunteer hours or surplus resources, for example.

For further information, click on this link.