Individuals, and local arts, heritage or sports groups can bid for up to £1,000 during the celebration year, with £20,000 in the total pot.
By gaining council funding, successful groups will then be able to access and apply for bigger grants that are available, but which require match funding.
Ann Holland, Executive Councillor for Culture, Tourism and the Economy, says: “We want the local community to feel a real part of this special year, and so we are providing a small working fund that will allow groups and individuals to access bigger funding grants out there
“By offering this financial support we hope we can get local groups to apply for more lottery funds and lever the larger grants from organisations such as the Arts Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Active Essex.
“We are looking to support a range of community led projects that will not only help celebrate our 125th Anniversary, but will offer something diverse, exciting and engaging to local people.”
The application period is now open and will remain so until the funding has been allocated.
Applications can be made online and will need to explain the project outcomes, their match funding request and key contact information.
For further information and assistance, please contact Chris Mellor, Cultural Strategy & Development Officer on 01702 534318, email:chrismellor@southend.gov.uk or visit www.southend.gov.uk/125years
Background to 125 years
On Friday 5th August 1892 Her Royal Highness Queen Victoria signed the Royal Charter that incorporated Southend-on-Sea. On the day the charter was signed Southend had a population of 13,000 residences with a rateable value of £82,000.
Incorporation Day was held on Wednesday 19th September 1892, this was the day that the official letter and charter document from the queen were delivered to Southend from Osbourne House. The official messenger arrived from London to be met by the Lord Mayor of London, Lord Lieutenant of the County of Essex, Brass Bands, and the Southend Lifeboat which had been specially taken from the water and placed in a wheeled cradle to parade through the town. The parade made its way down the High Street and then along the pier to the pier head.
Upon reaching the end of the pier a lunch was held, during which Thomas Dowsett became the first Mayor of Southend, the charter document was handed over and Southend became the newest town in England. To commemorate the occasion of the charter the 1,743 school children registered within the new borough were each presented with medals. A tea party was held for them in a large marquee at the site that later became Whitefield Road.
2017 will mark 125 years of the incorporation of the Borough; in addition this year will also see the centenary of Priory Park, gifted to the borough by R A Jones in 1917, and also falls within the 4 year centenary commemoration of World War 1.