Applications have opened for the East of England Co-op's Community Cares Fund grants.

Communities and good causes across the region can apply for a slice of the £110,000 fund.

The charitable initiative, established in 2020, awards financial grants ranging from £1,000 to £5,000 to projects that promote "community cohesion and integration".

The fund aims to reduce barriers and inequalities, and boost social interaction and experiences.

Since its inception, the Community Cares Fund is said to have directly benefited more than 146,000 people.

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In 2023 alone, more than 600 charities and organisations across Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire received support.

Angela Carpenter, community support manager at the East of England Co-op, said: “At the East of England Co-op, community is at the heart of everything we do.

"This fund is a testament to our ongoing commitment to empowering communities, fostering connection, and enabling initiatives that strengthen our local areas."

"We're pleased to be re-opening applications for our Community Cares Fund, which continues to support local projects that make a positive impact on people's lives."

Applications close on December 2, 2024.