Croydon Voluntary Action (CVA) is awarding grants of up to £5,000 to help small community groups participate in community regeneration.

The funding is part of Government's National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal in the most deprived neighbourhoods in England.

In Croydon grants of between £50 and £5,000 will be targeted at projects in areas including New Addington, Fieldway, Broad Green, Thornton Heath, Whitehorse Manor and West Thornton.

The grants will also target hard-to-reach groups in Croydon including black and minority ethnic communities, faith communities, lone parents, refugees, travellers, older and disabled people.

Activities likely to be funded include:

Initiatives supporting victims of crime, domestic violence and racial harassment;

Childcare and play activities, to enable parents to take part in local activities;

Community events and newsletters;

IT equipment and training;

Renovation of premises or maintaining playgrounds;

Festivals or sports days;

Training and exchange visits to other projects; and

Promotion of racial harmony and community cohesion.

To receive an application pack for the Community Chests, contact CVA on 020 8684 3862.

Completed applications should be returned to CVA not later than March 8 and successful applicants will receive payments by March 31.