The Rural Social and Community Programme (RSCP) provides funding to support community development in rural areas across the west of England through the voluntary sector.
In South Gloucestershire the money is being used to support two youth participation projects to encourage young people to become future town or parish councillors or to work constructively with their local town or parish council in identifying their needs and develop new projects. These youth participation projects are being delivered through the Avon Local Council's Association and The Childrens Society.
Some of the funding is also available in the form of two grant programmes for local communities. The first is to support the undertaking of a parish plan and the second is a community chest fund to implement the actions identified in the completed plans. The maximum grant from the parish plan grants fund is £3,000 and the community chest is £2,500.