THE deadline for grant funding for community-based organisations has been extended.

Applications to the European Social Fund (ESF) Oxfordshire Community Grants programme has been extended until Monday, July 24.

The ESF and the Education and Skills Funding Agency have made £387,000 of grant funding available to the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP).

The grants are for community-based organisations to provide support to the hardest to reach individuals in deprived communities across the county.

All voluntary, community and faith organisations in Oxfordshire can apply for a grant of between £5,000 and £50,000.

Oxford City Councillor Susan Brown, board member for customer and corporate services, said: “We have awarded more than £220,000 across Oxfordshire to help disadvantaged and unemployed people into work or training.

“We have now extended the deadline for grant applications until 24 July, and I would encourage voluntary, community and faith groups to apply for the remaining funding.”

Oxford City Council is managing the programme for OxLEP and will be hosting a meeting at Oxford Town Hall on Friday at 10am.

All organisations interested in making a grant application are encouraged to attend.

To reserve a place email: esfcommunitygrants@oxford.gov.uk

For more information on the programme and how to apply for a grant visit: oxford.gov.uk/esf