Aviva has launched the 2017 Aviva Community Fund which offers financial advisers a chance to win up to £25,000 for ‘inspiration’ local causes in their community.

Now in its third year, the competition invites members of the local community and financial advisers to submit an idea that will make a difference to a local group or charity they are passionate about, with the chance to secure funding from £1,000 up to £25,000.

This year there will continue to be a bespoke adviser prize pot to help adviser-supported causes, says Aviva.  The first 15 adviser-backed causes to get 1,000 votes in the £1,000 funding level will automatically get the funds they asked for, subject to due diligence.

The Aviva Community Fund is intended to contribute to “causes that matter” and the financial provider says that the Community Fund is growing in importance as new research it carried out revealed an 18% drop in the number people giving up their time to help out in their local community over the last two years, compared to those asked a year ago.

This is despite 37% of Britons saying that times of uncertainty encourage greater community spirit and a further 31% saying their local community would rally together if something bad were to happen.

More than 550 groups will receive funding as part of the Aviva Community Fund judging process. In addition Aviva will give £200 to any project submitted by an Aviva customer or employee that doesn’t win funding through votes or the judging panel, again subject to due diligence.

The Aviva Community Fund initiative has also helped communities in other markets in which Aviva operates including Canada, Poland, France, Italy and Hong Kong.

Tom Daniell, retail marketing director at Aviva, said: “We are passionate about community wellbeing and believe it is important to work with advisers to support community groups that carry out inspiring work across the UK. Over the last three years we have seen the positive impact that the Aviva Community Fund can have to a real variety of community groups.

“This year, in total, it will finance over 550 projects across different funding levels ranging from £1,000 up to £25,000, as we believe good projects come in all shapes and sizes.”

To take part visit www.aviva.co.uk/community-fund. Entries close on 10 October. Winners will announced on 16 January 2018.