A GROUP exploring millions of pounds of funding available that could benefit the Launceston area has been contacted by a number of individuals with ideas for projects big and small.

The Post recently reported on a meeting held last month at the offices of V Learning Net, Number One Business Centre, Western Road, which was an information sharing session on how Launceston will be benefitting from the final round of EU Community Led Local Development (CLLD) funding, and also what is available through LEADER funding.

The CLLD fund is looking to support projects that will lead to long term improvements in and around Newport, Ridgegrove and Lanstephan, but may consider some strong community projects based outside of this area, while LEADER funding would benefit the wider community.

This was the second such meeting of interested individuals with a third one to be held at the end of January.

They are awaiting the launch of the CLLD, which will benefit the most deprived areas of Cornwall, which are said to include the two estates at Newport.

CEO of V Learning Net, Stephen Howard, told the Post: “That’s about a legacy project. It’s not really about vast numbers, it’s about getting alongside people wanting to get back into work, about improving lives in that specific area.

“It needs community involvement for it to work. These opportunities are sitting there and it’s quite frustrating, it’s very hard to get people really involved.

“We are all working together to try and get people just to come along and see really if these opportunities are for them.

“Since [last month’s meeting] a number of individuals have made contact with their ideas for projects big and small to benefit Launceston.

“We will have a number of employers joining the group, wanting to be able to explore offering job opportunities to individuals who for whatever reason have not worked for some years, which is also very positive. The saying is ‘from small acorns mighty Oak trees grow’, so this is a really good start.

“There are still opportunities for more groups to become involved, bring your projects even if they are just aspirations, we will assist you to explore the feasibility of the venture.

“To give you some idea of the sort of projects that could be supported, we discussed the need for a playground in one of the estates in Launceston that can be funded. Especially if it is community led.”

He said at least five or six discussions of possible projects that could benefit from funding have already taken place, adding if V Learning Net is not able to help, they are pointing people to someone who will be able to.

He added: “Things are starting to happen. It would be a great shame for this to fail just because people don’t want to get involved. The tragic part of this would be if all of this money which is available is not tapped into.

“The town has got phenomenal potential. There are a lot of things we could start preparing for and really help the community and show by working together we can achieve a tremendous amount.”