More than 10 community projects have already asked about getting a grant of between £10,000 and £30,000 from the Big EDP Lottery Fund.

Eastern Daily Press: Big EDP Lottery FundBig EDP Lottery Fund (Image: Submitted - June 2013)

The £250,000 fund was launched on Monday, inviting community groups to apply for funding which could benefit their area.

The EDP is joining forces with the Big Lottery Fund to award £250,000 of Lottery good-cause cash to community projects in the EDP's circulation area of Norfolk, north Suffolk and east Cambridgeshire.

The Norfolk Community Foundation is handling applications for the Big EDP Lottery Fund and is providing advice and support for community groups.

Chief executive Graham Tuttle said: 'We've had over 10 inquiries and mailed four application forms out already, but it's early days.

'Bigger, more established charities tend to have more research people who can pick up a project and run with it but the individual, smaller groups usually won't look until they get home at night.

'They are not professional form-fillers so for them it can be a more daunting prospect, so we can help them with their forms and make them feel more certain.'

The applications need to be submitted by July 14 ahead of a shortlist being announced on September 2. The readers of the EDP will then have the chance to vote for which projects they would like to receive the funding.

To apply for a grant you will need to be a community or not-for-profit group, parish or town council, health body or school. You do not have to be a registered charity to apply.

Groups must have a bank account that requires at least two people to sign each cheque or withdrawal and you must be in a position to use the grant within a year.

Forms are available at www.norfolkfoundation.com/Big-EDP-Lottery-Fund.htm. The Norfolk Community Foundation grants team can be contacted on 01603 623958 or grants@norfolkfoundation.com.