GROUPS are being urged to pitch for thousands of pounds worth of grants at the WINnovation funding event.

Up to £4,000 could be available to groups and charities in the Winchester district if they can convince a Dragon’s Den-style panel to invest in their projects.

Winchester City Council is urging groups to put their projects forward at a unique WINnovation one-off funding event that will be held on February 5.

The council has a pool of grant funding reserved for community activities or projects.

Innovative projects that are delivered in an entrepreneurial way, are engaging, or enhance the organisation’s strategic development, are more likely to succeed.

Applications to pitch should be submitted online by noon January 15 and grant decisions will be made on the evening of the event as they will be scored immediately following the pitches. Awards will be made in a short ceremony at the end of the evening.

At the last Winnovation event, £12,000 was given to projects across the district.

One group to benefit at the last awards was Colden Common Men’s Shed, whose impressive pitch won them a grant of £3,250, which helped them purchase a purpose-built wooden shed .

Cllr Robert Humby, portfolio holder for business partnerships, said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for charities, not-for-profit organisations and community groups to pitch their projects, make new connections and hear about other activities happening in their local communities.

“The council recognises the vital these organisations have in the district and also know they heavily rely on the goodwill of volunteers and it is only right that we support them through initiatives like WINnovation.”