The West Midlands distributed £11.8 million through the Commonwealth’s legacy fund

PROJECTS in the West Midlands have been handed out a total of £11.8 million through a Commonwealth Games legacy fund – including £1,899,252 in Coventry and Warwickshire.

Community Foundation Heart of England has announced the distribution of 388 grants.

Inspired by the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the fund supports community organizations by giving them access to new opportunities and legacy funding from the Games.

The Foundation processed more than 1,300 claims totaling more than £71 million.

The fund is part of West Midlands Combined Authority’s (WMCA) Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund, which uses the remaining money.

Tina Costello OBE, chief executive of the foundation, said: “I feel so lucky to have chaired most of the community grant panels, met new people with fantastic knowledge and experience of our region and read all the wonderful applications we have received.

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“It’s exciting to see the development of local projects working with people from every part of the region.

“The range of work is just incredible and I am so proud of everyone involved in helping us deliver this funding to organizations on the front line.

“The diversity of organizations and projects we have funded will drive change and create real impact – a fantastic legacy from the Commonwealth Games.”

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, added that the fund and the wider Commonwealth Games Legacy Program puts money directly into the hands of these communities to help deliver their own solutions to important issues such as health inequalities, social isolation and inactivity.