As you may know, the Council and the Commissioners have earmarked £12m from the funds available from the Commissioners for distribution in 2011-13 for research and development work.
Most of the development funding will be held back until the research work has been completed but the Task Group which is overseeing the use of R and D funding has agreed that £3m of the development funding should be distributed now in order to help develop existing local mission work which is leading to church growth in order that that growth can be replicated in other parts of the Church.
Bishops will be invited to put forward project(s) which are suitable for funding within the agreed criteria. Cathedral deans and mission agencies will also be invited to consider making an application (provided that it is endorsed by their bishop).
Priority will be given to projects in low income dioceses and/or those with significant numbers of deprived parishes.
The downloadable letter below from the Bishop of London, who chairs the Task Group which has been reviewing spending plans on behalf of the Archbishops' Council's and Church Commissioners, has been sent to diocesan bishops. The letter sets out the agreed criteria for the funding and the application process. Please note that all applications for funding must be supported by the diocesan bishop.
