• Youth activity: Including setting up youth clubs, organising activities for young people, projects to help young people gain new skills or schemes to help them deal with mental health issues
• Community activity: Such as setting up new community groups, organising a local event or starting a community project
• Physical activity and sport: Money for schemes to encourage residents of all ages to take part in physical activities, keep fit and stay healthy – or which encourage people to get active if they’re not already
• Community safety: Grants for projects to reduce crime and the fear of crime including raising awareness about scams and rogue trading, schemes to tackle anti-social behaviour and initiatives to help residents keep themselves safe.

Derbyshire County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership, Culture and Tourism, Councillor Barry Lewis said: “There are lots of inspiring projects going on in Derbyshire communities and I am pleased that we are able to support many of these with our Action Grants.”

“A growing number of the applications have been for environmental schemes as residents become more conscious of helping to reduce the carbon footprint in their communities. These are very welcome as are applications across all four categories.”

“People of all ages are benefiting and I’d like to thank the staff and volunteers who put in so much time and effort to run these schemes.”

“If you’re involved with a community group, club or charity in Derbyshire an Action Grant could be just the helping hand you need. Think what your group could do with £500 and send us your applications.”

“The process is quick and simple and if you apply now for the January deadline we’ll aim to give you a decision within four weeks.”

The deadline for the current seventh round of Action Grant applications is 31 January 2020.

There will be one more round until the scheme ends on 31 May 2020. The May round will include a number of £5,000 and £10,000 grants in addition to the £500 ones. The larger grants are available for schemes which can be shown to offer long-term benefits for local people and promote two or more of the Action Grants themes.

Meanwhile, Derbyshire County Council cabinet members have asked officers to look at introducing a new grant scheme to support local communities to take action on climate change.

To find out more about Action Grants, including full details of deadlines and list of recipients so far and videos of some of the successful applicants, click here.