Community Radio Fund 2021-22 opens for applications
The first round of the Community Radio Fund 2021-22, with £400,000 available, is now open for applications.
For the first time, C-DSP licence holders are able to apply, with a closing date of 5pm on Friday 25 June 2021.
In 2020-21, grants were provided as emergency cash funding to support stations facing severe financial difficulty due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
For 2021-22, the Fund will return to supporting the core costs of running Ofcom-licensed community radio stations, as set out in the guidance notes.
Licensees that hold a Community Digital Sound Programme (C-DSP) licence are eligible to apply for the Fund if the station is broadcasting on a digital radio multiplex at the date of their application.
Split elements now allowed on community radio stations
Community radio stations may now offer split services within their coverage area on any relay transmitters they might operate.
Following lobbying from the UK Community Radio Network, Ofcom has informed the stations in the network they may now offer separate advertising and identification to distinct communities within their broadcast areas.
East Sussex-based Seahaven FM will be one of the first stations taking advantage of this new agreement with its recent installation of a 2nd transmission site in Eastbourne.
Nick Mallinson, MD and Station Manager said, “Our new transmitter means we can now reach more people than ever, but Eastbourne and Newhaven, as well as having businesses that cover both areas, have their own small business communities too. Operating split advertising across our transmitters gives every advertiser the advantage of keeping the costs down by targeting only the area they want to cover.”