COMMUNITY groups, charities and not-for-profit organisations are being invited to apply for a piece of £22,000 grant funding from Bicester Village.

The designer outlet store has launched its ‘Make a Difference’ campaign to give away £1,000 for every year it has been open.

Groups have two weeks to apply for the Bicester Village funding, which aims to further support organisations and causes across the town.

Bicester Village community relations director, Miranda Markham, said: “With the Make a Difference fund, we hope to understand more about our local community and identify future social needs.

“We are inviting applicants across Bicester to tell us how we can help them make a difference in 2018.”

For more than two decades the designer shopping outlet has worked to support local projects and activities such as sponsoring schools, charities and sports teams.

The new funding launched this month provides further opportunities to work with other charities, not-for-profit organisations, social enterprises or community groups.

It has outlined three main themes it will be looking for from applicants – Togetherness, Youth, Health.

Organisers are looking for activities or groups which bring people together and encourage social cohesion.

It also hopes to help projects which improve the lives of young people by breaking down barriers to employment, plus those activities that promote active lifestyles.

The £22,000 funding was announced in October when about 30 new boutiques were opened as part of the Bicester Village expansion, 22 years on from the centre opening.

At the time Bicester town mayor Les Sibley said: “I am sure we can all agree Bicester Village over the past two decades has made a considerable contribution to the community of Bicester with employment opportunities and apprenticeships.

“The village’s support and sponsorship for local schools, charities and other organisations is both well established and much appreciated.”

The new Bicester Village expansion brought with it 450 new jobs, which means the total number of people employed at the designer outlet is about 4,000.

Applicants can bid for between £1,000 to £4,000 worth of funding from the Make a Difference fund and must be not-for-profit organisations based in Bicester (including Launton).

The application process will close on Thursday, March 1, and the winning bids will be announced later in March by Bicester Village.

For more details on the funding or the application process go online to BicesterVillage.com/makeadifference