More than £400,000 has been made available for grassroots Capital of Culture projects. 

The Liverpool Culture Company this week launched its latest annual grants process, which will fund a huge range of work between April and December 2008

Voluntary and community groups, public sector arts and cultural organisations, and individual artists are all being invited to apply for the cash. 

Lib Dem Councillor Warren Bradley, leader of Liverpool city council, said: "Communities have been at the heart of Liverpool's plans for Capital of Culture since we won the bid back in 2003. 

"Over the past five years our annual funding scheme has enabled thousands of local people to express their creativity through some really exciting projects - spanning everything from literature to film-making; dance to drama.

"This latest grants process will play an important part in 2008, by allowing people local people to add their own voice to the programme and make a significant contribution to the Capital of Culture." 

The grant scheme is split into two strands:

Creative Communities: Total of £210,000 available: (£180,000 available under the 'World in One City' theme, for awards of between £500 and £5,000. £30,000 available under the 'Sporting Chance' theme, for awards of between £300 and £3,000).

2) Innovation and Development: Total of £180,000 available for voluntary and community groups (awards of between £500 and £9,000 available). Total of £20,000 available for individual artists (awards between £500 and £2,000 available).

Application forms and guidance (including eligibility details) are available to download at www.liverpool08.com - just click on 'our communities', then 'funding'. Hard copies are available from Liverpool city council's community resources unit by calling (0151) 225 2316. The closing date for applications is Monday, October 8.