A scheme to pair businesses with local community projects is expanding into the East Midlands.

Match My Project is a marketplace platform to pair up firms with the projects needing support.

It is already taking place in cities including Wigan, Birmingham, Oxford and Cambridge and is this week being launched in the East Midlands through funding from the East Midlands Combined Authority.

Also involved in launching the scheme in the region are Derby City, Derbyshire County, Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County councils.

East Midlands regional mayor Clair Ward said: “Grassroots community organisations know our region best. Their deep understanding of our communities allows them to deliver real, meaningful change for people.

“This platform will help them have even more of an impact, by giving them access to vital support and resources.

“And this is not just a wonderful opportunity for grassroots organisations, but also for our suppliers and employers, giving them a chance to demonstrate their commitment to improving community wellbeing and addressing social issues.

“We are proud to adopt Match My Project for the purpose of delivering real value to our region.”

The scheme is free for businesses and community projects to use.

It is estimated more than 1,000 projects have already been supported through the scheme nationally so far.

It works by groups requesting support such as funding, volunteers, materials or expertise.

Firms can then browse projects and select those they can help for free as well as make offers by advertising available volunteer hours or surplus resources.

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