Community organisations across Barking and Dagenham are invited to apply for grants of up to £500 from its Equality and Diversity Community Fund.

The fund will allow local charities and community groups, to play a bigger role in delivering a range of events.

The fund will be related to the Barking and Dagenham Equality and Diversity Calendar, which involves everything from Black History Month to Pride and national independence days. View the full calendar and an online application.

Councillor Lynda Rice, Cabinet Member for Equalities and Diversity, said: “I think it’s fantastic we can work with charities, faith and community groups, to deliver events and projects which are crucial to the growth and togetherness of our borough and those who live in it. We look forward to seeing what members of these community groups can do to bring our residents together.”

These projects should promote social inclusion, celebrate diversity, and support equality through providing opportunities for people with protected characteristics.

There are four seasonal funding windows throughout the year to apply, with the first deadline for applications on Sunday 4 August. Successful bids will be announced the week commencing 19 August.