Swansea residents who would like to raise funds for community projects are invited to a virtual workshop hosted by crowdfunding specialists.

The free event, to be run twice – on July 15 and 22 – through online video conferencing facility Zoom, will be run by specialist funding organisation Spacehive.

Those who log in will be shown how to make best use of Crowdfund Swansea, a partnership between Spacehive and Swansea Council.

In its first few months, the initiative has attracted more than £64,000 of funding pledges from more than 330 backers.

Four groups raising funds through the scheme have hit their targets – Pontarddulais Cricket Club, the Friends of Hafod-Morfa Copperworks, the Friends of the City of Swansea Botanical Complex and those behind a number of beach clean stations to combat litter.

Andrew Stevens, council cabinet member for business improvement and performance, said: “The initiative gives residents with project ideas the ability to attract funding from the community, council, businesses and foundations through an online portal.

“I encourage them to attend one of these excellent online workshops. They will offer a great deal of advice and guidance for advancing their ideas through Crowdfund Swansea.”

The aim of Crowdfund Swansea is to provide a springboard for project ideas to attract the funding they need more easily, whilst enabling everyone who cares about the area to contribute.

Projects can range from building a new community centre or improving the local park to improving a playground or putting on a street festival.

Successful projects will be in addition to schemes already delivered by the council.

Crowdfund Swansea complements the council’s regeneration work, specifically that by partnership body Regeneration Swansea.

People and organisations can pledge as little as £2 towards a project and contributions are only charged if the campaign hits its target.

Spacehive’s mission is to make it easy for people to improve their local area. The platform brings together people, businesses, councils and foundations to collaboratively fund projects that communities want.

To register for a workshop – on Wednesday, July 15 from 4-5pm or Wednesday, July 22 from 2-3pm, log on to www.bit.ly/CS1507 or www.bit.ly/CS2207.