Isle of Man registered charities can now apply for this year’s grant funding of projects that aim to address the root causes of poverty in developing countries.

Funding for up to 100% of project costs is available with grants of between ?10,000 and ?100,000 from the International Development Committee of the Council of Ministers (IDC), although projects under ?10,000 are not precluded.

Chair of the IDC, Phil Gawne MHK, said: “The Isle of Man has many successful charities, a number of which focus their work in developing countries. As a responsible member of the international community, the Island has an important role to play in global efforts to eradicate poverty by targeting its causes. This annual funding stream from the Isle of Man Government is an important contribution to those efforts.”

A total of 16 projects received funding last year helping to improve the lives of people in more than a dozen countries, predominately in Africa. Projects included sanitation and water supply schemes, construction projects for key infrastructure such as schools, addressing the challenges posed to communities by climate change, and HIV prevention.

Mr Gawne added: “The projects that these grants support tend to be one-off schemes that make a real difference to people’s lives. The impact is tangible with clear outcomes and achievements that link back to the work of Manx charities and the generosity of the people of the Isle of Man. I would encourage all of the Island’s charities that focus their work in developing countries and have projects in need of funding to seriously consider making an application.”

An application pack is available on request by emailing idc@gov.im or calling 685314. The deadline to submit application is 12 noon on Friday 4 December 2015.