Angus Funding News July 2007

Download -->here

YOUNG PEOPLE’S FUND

As you may recall, there had been few applications for Angus’ allocation of £235,000. However, a couple of recent grants have seen the full allocation exceeded, with £246,429 in total going to Angus. We have been advised that applications will now compete with all others in Scotland for the remaining monies. The official deadline is 31 August 2007. Before applying you would be advised to speak to Daniel Wood, YPF officer at the Big Lottery Fund, on tel: 0870 240 2391.

BIG LOTTERY FUND

The Big Lottery Chief Executive, Sir Clive Booth, has signed a letter of understanding with London Mayor Ken Livingstone that land at the Olympic site will be sold after 2012 and the £425 million from the BLF funds will be returned to it. At this stage it is not clear exactly when after 2012 the sale will take place, and whether the £425 million will be returned with interest or not. When announcing the deal, Sir Clive also took the opportunity to reiterate that provided forecasts of Lottery income hold up, the Big Lottery Fund will maintain its 2006 to 2009 programmes in full and provide 60% to 70% of its funding to charities. The BLF will continue to honour this percentage distribution when new programmes are announced after 2009.

TAYSIDE FUNDING GROUP VISIT TO BIG LOTTERY FUND OFFICES

Representatives from the Tayside Funding Group (funding officers from the three Councils, CVS and NHS) recently visited the offices of the Big Lottery Fund and returned with some interesting information that we are happy to pass on to you.

Awards for All

500 – 600 applications are received each month.

Scoring

Projects are now scored and this is how it’s done -
Applications are scored and extra points given for:

• New groups (operating less than 10 months) but Scottish Arts Council do not award extra points for a new group
• First time applicants
• Age of beneficiaries (older and young people are priorities)
• Cold spots ie areas that have received less money from Awards for All
• Position in Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation ranking
• Income level (low income preferred)
• Meeting all 4 aims of AFA (therefore groups are encouraged to complete all relevant boxes on aims in the application form)
• The target group

 
Key points

• Scottish Arts Council only award up to maximum of £5,000. This is not in the guidelines because if it is thought that there is a community aspect to the project, then it can be funded up to £10,000 from BLF.
• A new on line form that can be completed on screen and printed off will be ready soon.
• AFA do not want lots of attachments with the application form.
• Quotes are only required for individual pieces of equipment over £500 but they recognise that submitting quotes for all costs is good practice and shouldn’t be discouraged.

Referees

• Retired people are not able to act as referees. However, AFA will accept retired people if they still have sufficient standing to act as a referee. This will be at AFA’s discretion and may relate in particular to people who are recently retired or can demonstrate a good knowledge of the project. However, they cannot accept retired people acting as referees for applications involving children, young people under 18 or vulnerable adults. This is relevant across all of their programmes, not just Awards for All.
• Unemployed people can be referees if they are still a member of a professional body.
• Should a group for example be English based but operating in this area, the referee should be someone who knows the group. If this is someone from their hometown AFA would probably call to verify this. Verification of referees is done a random basis and involves 8 questions about the group/project so referees should be someone who knows the group and project well!
• If a referee doesn’t wish to declare their home address on the form, they should either copy that page, complete it and put it in a sealed envelope for submission with the application or send a letter on headed paper from their employer confirming their employment.

Key errors in applications are : -

• Only 1 bank signatory
• Name on bank or building society account different to application and/or constitution
• Failing to return requested information
• Requesting retrospective funding
• Not completing the end-of-project monitoring form for a previous grant before requesting another

Do not “force” a project together e.g. IT equipment and a community event. Ask for what you need and re-apply if necessary for another grant.

At the last committee, there was an overbid of £350,000. SportScotland had £85,000 to allocate and received applications worth £250,000.

Investing in Communities

Current issues:

• BLF are receiving lots of employability projects and those around people with illnesses. Projects aiming to improve mental health per se are not enough. This is not a life transition whereas helping those just diagnosed with an illness is.
• Projects offering general advice are not a good fit
• Additionality to statutory services is an issue
• Trend for projects offering supporting for migrant women eg rape and sexual abuse
• No decision has been taken yet on the money reserved for continuation projects etc. This should be agreed in July. There are no plans to vire money between investment areas however.

Good applications:

• Outcomes must be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timebound). Outcomes should include numbers and you would be advised to do this at the outline proposal stage to avoid a refusal. It is crucial for the full application.
• Do the project outcomes contribute to the programme outcomes?
• There is some flexibility to change outcomes between the outline proposal stage and the full application stage.
• It is vital that those completing a full application address ALL the issues raised in the feedback letter. The focus in the feedback is now on requirements rather than just guidance.
• Defining and evidencing need – this is a very important element of the application. It must be researched, show additionality to existing provision, fit in the local and national policy context.
• Involve beneficiaries in developing your project and outcomes – “often and early”
• Is staff training costed in? Don’t cut this out just to bring project costs down.
• Experience and the time doing something are not the same! Focus on experience of success.
• Make BLF aware of any network of professional standards.
• Equalities- how has this been thought through for the projects and includes good examples of how you will ensure equal opportunities in project.

Investing in Communities versus Awards for All

BLF staff do discuss bids and are keen to avoid having groups fill in two different forms.
Generally bids that are about general community consultation fit better under AFA.
There are weekly decisions on Investing in Ideas applications.
Council applications are not a priority for I in C. The signatories should be same as the ones designated by local authorities for BLF bids.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

 

ARTS	COMMUNITY	ENVIRONMENT	EUROPEAN
MISCELLANEOUS	RURAL	SPORT	TOURISM

ARTS

SCOTTISH ARTS COUNCIL NEW SCOTTISH MUSIC FUTURES FUND                                                    New

The scheme – to help home-grown musical talent develop and find a sound business route to success within the industry and remain within Scotland to stop the drain of musical talent from Scotland by bands seeking commercial success.
The funding is available to organisations active in the Scottish music business. These will be selected by the fund’s assessment panel, which will look for a proven track record and a structured plan for growth. Priority will be given to:

• Independent Scotland based record labels;
• Scotland based publishers;
• Scotland based artist managers;
• Scotland based agents.

Funding will be predominantly for marketing and promotional initiatives, but other types of development will be considered.
The application is in three parts:

• A single page application form;
• A legal agreement;
• A detailed business plan.

Amount – this is a £500,000 to create business paths for Scottish bands.
Contact - information and application forms are also available by contacting Iain Hamilton on 01463 234 171 (E-mail: iain.hamilton@hient.co.uk ). Full details about the programme are available from www.hie.co.uk/scottish-music-futures-fund.html
Deadline - 1 August 2007.

 

COMMUNITY

 

UNLTD  BE CAUSE AWARDS

The scheme - UnLtd, the funder of budding social entrepreneurs, and Bebo, an on line communication system have introduced the Be Cause Awards, where you post your idea for a community project on the Bebo site using a toolkit provided. Each month five projects that have the potential to make a positive impact on society from all those nominated will be selected. The whole Bebo community will then be asked to vote for the best project over a two-week period, during which you can campaign as much or as little as you like to convince everyone to vote for you.
Amount - if your idea meets their criteria you could be in the running for a £1000 award. You can nominate your project yourself, or your fellow Beboers can enter it if they think it’s a good idea.
Every year a Judges Choice Award of £5000 will be given to the project with the best potential. In addition, everyone who takes part in the Be Cause Awards will be eligible for further support and funding from UnLtd if the projects show enough promise to be expanded and developed.
Contact - for more details go to www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MID=367137231&MemberId=3963962534

ENVIRONMENT

The following energy related grants are available through the Energy Saving Trust: -

LOW CARBON BUILDINGS PROGRAMME

The scheme- grants for people who want to install micro-wind turbines and solar panels on their homes are now available. Since it launched in April 2006 the LCBP has directly funded 2175 installations into homes. This includes 242 mini-turbines, 313 Solar PV projects and 1467 solar thermal heating systems. Changes to the application criteria include the removal of the monthly cap and a new requirement to have planning permission before applying. The Government is currently consulting on removing the need for planning permission for the majority of microgeneration installations but it must be in place for LCBP grant applicants in the meantime.
Amount - The Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP) has already allocated £6.8m to householders and, following the addition of an extra £6m in the Budget, applications are set to open for the remaining £11.9m.
Contact - www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk and www.lowcarbonbuildingsphase2.org.uk
Deadline – various – check website above for details

SCOTTISH COMMUNITY AND HOUSEHOLDER RENEWABLES INITIATIVE

The scheme - renewable energy equipment installation and associated costs
Amount - up to £10k for technical assistance grants and up to £100k for capital grants for renewable energy equipment installation and associated costs. Up to 100% funding is available for community groups and 30% for domestic installations, up to £4k.
Deadline  - this is a rolling programme

SUPPORT FOR SCOTTISH BUSINESSES

The scheme – assistance for SMEs to make best use of the many energy and resource efficiency schemes provided by the Energy Saving Trust and other government-funded organisations. They can also help with access to tax incentives, and interest-free loans.
Contact – Visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/fleet/

The Energy Saving Trust also has a funding database of grants from a variety of organisations at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/housingbuildings/funding

EUROPEAN FUNDING

LIFELONG LEARNING PROGRAMMES

What is the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP)?
The LLP is a European funding programme which supports education and training across Europe. It is made up of six different programmes covering the whole spectrum of lifelong learning. ECOTEC is the National Agency for three of these programmes:

Leonardo supports the development of skills and training. It funds work placements for trainees, workers and staff, and supports European partnership projects to improve quality in training.
Helpline: 0845 199 2929 Email: leonardo@ecotec.com Website: www.leonardo.org.uk

Grundtvig is a passport to partnerships and training opportunities for adult education organisations, teachers and learners. Adult educators can be involved in structured courses, conferences and job shadowing. Organisations can be part of partnerships and projects to share innovation and good practice in adult learning.
Helpline : 0845 199 1919 Email : grundtvig@ecotec.com Website: www.grundtvig.org.uk

The Transversal Programme supports education and training organisations in the areas of policy, languages, ICT and dissemination. ECOTEC is responsible for a programme of Study Visits designed to share best practice in education across Europe.
Helpline: 0845 199 3939 Email: studyvisits@ecotec.com Website: www.transversal.org.uk

The joint website www.lifelonglearningprogramme.org.uk has information on all the LLP programmes.
For general enquiries, call 0845 199 2929 or email llp@ecotec.com

The British Council is the UK National Agency for the Comenius (schools) and Erasmus (higher education) programmes. You can contact them on 0161 957 7755 for further information.

Preparatory visits
Organisations can apply for a grant for a staff member to attend a partner-finding 'contact seminar' or to travel abroad and meet potential partners. Visit www.leonardo.org.uk for more details

Deadlines - The latest information from the European Commission indicates that the main application deadline for the LLP programmes will be 30 January 2008 - the Transversal programme has a later deadline of 30 April 2008. Comprehensive information on the deadlines, application processes, priorities for projects and funding amounts is expected to be published on 1 October 2007 in the Call for Proposals 2008-2010.
There is an additional deadline for Leonardo Mobility applications – 27 July. See www.leonardo.org.uk for further details.
Both Grundtvig and Transversal programmes have deadlines in October and Preparatory visit applications are accepted all year round. 31 October is the application deadline for Grundtvig In-Service Training grants. To view the training courses available visit www.grundtvig.org.uk or www.ec.europa.eu/education/trainingdatabase/search.cfm      

Information events and surgery days
ECOTEC has arranged a series of information days. It's an opportunity to meet the team and to talk to other people who are thinking of putting in an application. The next step is to attend a surgery day where you'll receive one-to-one advice on how you can turn your proposal into a strong application. More details and online registration will be available soon at www.leonardo.org.uk  www.grundtvig.org.uk  and www.transversal.org.uk
Scottish dates are as follows -
Information day - 09 October Cumbernauld, Cumbernauld College
Surgery day - 02 November Glasgow, Scottish Executive Offices

EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND PROGRAMME 2007 - 2013

Priority 1 – Research and Innovation

• to support individual enterprises and research centres  - e.g. infrastructure, enterprise demand and capacity for research and innovation
• to support research collaboration –e.g. commercialization projects, technology transfer projects

Amount - £9m annually - 50% of the funding available will go to Scottish Enterprise as a Strategic Delivery Body to deliver key strategic projects.

Priority 2 – Enterprise Growth

• access to finance –e.g. investor readiness programmes, risk capital funding for enterprises
• entrepreneurship support –e.g. encouraging future entrepreneurs, advisory support for new businesses
• business processes –e.g encouraging greater take-up of e-business, “greening” of businesses

Amount – £12m annually

Priority 3 - Urban Regeneration

• Linking urban areas of need with areas of opportunity
• Improving the potential capacity of urban areas to develop

Amount - £9m annually

Priority 4 – Rural Development

• Strengthening rural industries and diversification – e.g. sector wide diversification strategies, development of new sources of supply and production processes
• Supporting development of key shared services to underpin rural diversification – e.g. ICT and learning facilities, improving educational access, start up of community transport initiatives

Amount - £6m annually but 50% of the funding available will go to South of Scotland Alliance as a Strategic Delivery Body to deliver key strategic projects in their area.
Areas with over 25% of their population living in rural areas are eligible, including Angus.

Criteria for all priorities –

• Focus on strategic projects
• Partnership is encouraged but not essential
• The minimum project size is £200k – they are not looking for small scale projects
• Project bundling – i.e. same activity in different areas/ different (complementary) activity in the same area
• Multi-year funding
• 40% grant will be the maximum given, but not the norm. Applicants will be expected to apply for ERDF only to make up the remaining percentage of what is required.

EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUND 2007 – 2013

Priority 1 – Progressing into Employment

• Targeting hardest to reach groups, those with multiple deprivations, NEET.
• Activities can include early engagement, preparation for work, supported volunteering

Amount - £12m annually

Priority 2 – Progressing through employment

• Support for low skilled and low paid workers
• Addressing gender imbalances
• Improving managerial skills
• Capacity building of social enterprises

Amount - £10m annually

Priority 3 – Improving access to lifelong learning

• Mainstreaming successful pilot approaches
• Developing new methods of accessing learning materials
• Skills training for personnel dealing with target group
• Workplace initiatives to improve access to lifelong learning

Amount – £4m annually

Contact – project ideas must be discussed with ESEP in advance of submitting an application. Tel 01383 413141 to speak to Rob Gompertz, Programme Manager.

Application process – there is a two-stage application process. First stage - expressions of interest will be a 2-page outline of the project
Deadline - the latest advice is that first stage applications should be received by 8 October, with a full application due in November with a decision by April 2008. Eligible expenditure can start in January 2008. These dates may be changed slightly. Details will be available on www.esep.co.uk
 

MISCELLANEOUS

GOOGLE GRANTS

The scheme - The Google Grants UK beta programme supports organisations sharing Google's philosophy of community service to help the world in areas such as science and technology, education, global public health, the environment, youth advocacy, and the arts.
Designed for registered charities, Google Grants provides free advertising on Google AdWords, to charities seeking to inform and engage their constituents online. Google Grants has given free AdWords advertising to hundreds of charitable groups whose missions range from animal welfare to literacy, from supporting homeless children to promoting HIV education. As a result of this free advertising many charities have experienced an increase in the recruitment of volunteers and sponsorship.
Contact - for more information, visit www.google.com/grants.

 

RURAL

RURAL DEVELOPMENT SMALL AWARDS FUND

This fund, run by the Scottish Executive, will close on 29 September. The fund, reported previously in AFN, supports community groups in rural communities in capacity building projects and gives up to £5,000. Application forms are available from the fund secretariat on 0131 244 3885.

SPORT

UNLTD  -  SPORT RELIEF PARTNERSHIP

The scheme - UnLtd, the Lottery-supported funder of individuals’ good ideas for their community, has linked up with Sport Relief to support projects that encourage young people to use sport to tackle social issues. is specifically for young people aged between 11 and 21 who can use sport in its roundest sense to unite communities divided by conflict.
Examples of the sort of project that UnLtd may want to support:

• Engaging young people from different backgrounds by organising an indoor cricket mini world cup;
• Reducing violence in a neighbourhood by channelling the energy of young people into football rather than fighting;
• A skateboarding competition for young people that will reduce tensions in the local area.

There are two types of application: One for 17 to 21 year olds and another for 11 to 16 year olds; the latter will need to provide a letter of support from an appropriate adult. Applications are invited from individuals or teams of individuals.
Amount - The UnLtd Sport Relief Awards programme is worth £1 million overall, The Awards will provide grants of between £250 and £5000 for innovative sports projects.
Contact - all further information, application forms etc. are available from http://unltd.org.uk/template.php?ID=110&PageName=sportrelief If you are planning an application for young people aged between 11 and 16 years old, you are advised to telephone UnLtd first on 0845 367 0770. The same number can also be used for general enquiries about any potential project.
Deadline - there are no published closing dates, but the scheme is cash-limited.

SPORT RELIEF SCOTLAND

The scheme - the Scottish Community Foundation is now seeking applications again for projects across Scotland. Projects must either: Increase access to sport and exercise for people who face social exclusion or isolation; or help people who are experiencing difficulties in their lives to regain their confidence and self-esteem. Amongst the kinds of activities that could be supported within the two priority areas are:

1. Increased access to sport and exercise for people who face social exclusion or isolation:

• A group of women from a minority ethnic background getting involved in keep fit or other sports activities.
• A group of disabled people wanting to undertake sport or a club wanting to increase sporting opportunities for disabled people.
• Activity sessions for older people.
•  

2. Helping people who are experiencing difficulties in their lives to regain their confidence and self-esteem:

• People with mental health problems wanting to help rebuild their lives through sport.
• Positive sport experiences for young carers or children affected by domestic abuse.
• Refugees or asylum seekers using sport to help cope with traumatic experiences.

Grants will not be given to fund one-off events or activities, the emphasis being on building a programme of work. Grants must be spent within 12 months of being awarded.

Amount - grants will range from £1000 to £10,000 and are available for not-for-profit community groups.
Contact - further details and application forms are available from www.scottishcf.org/page8613.cfm  or the Scottish Community Foundation Tel: 0131 524 0300.
Deadline - 11 August 2008. But this is a cash-limited fund and applications will be dealt with as received. Most money will be given out early in the fund’s life.

TOURISM

EVENTSCOTLAND'S REGIONAL EVENTS PROGRAMME

The scheme - supports the development and growth of sporting and cultural events and festivals outside Edinburgh and Glasgow. The main aims are to increase domestic tourism and sustain Scotland's image as an event destination worldwide.
Amount - In five years, 23 projects have benefited from an investment of £1.5million with 13 events successful at the last round of bidding.
Contact - anyone who thinks their event would benefit from extra funding can download an application form and support materials at  http://www.eventscotland.org   For more information tel 0131 472 2313 or phone Angela Scott, events strategy support officer, on 08451 55 55 58
Deadline – 3 August, which covers eligible events taking place throughout 2008. Another round of funding covering eligible events from July 2008 to June 2009 will take place early next year with a deadline of 9 February, 2008

YOUTH

VODAFONE REACH PROGRAMME

The scheme - Reach is The Vodafone UK Foundation's flagship three-year £5m funding programme. Reach will fund charities working in collaboration helping 16-25 year olds facing exclusion from society. Charities are currently being invited to apply for the funding with a view for the winning programme to be announced in November 2007, commencing work in April 2008.
Contact - to apply, visit www.guardian.co.uk/vukf/reach
Deadline - Friday 3 August 2007, 5pm

 

CAMELOT'S TRANSFORMING LIVES PROGRAMME

The scheme - working with young people (11-25) to address and promote social cohesion that arises through the challenges of identity that they face in their lives today
The priority groups of young people for this round of funding are:
* Young parents or those at particular risk of becoming young parents
* Young exiles and migrants, newly arrived in the UK
* Young people with mental health problems
* Young disabled people
Contact - a copy of the guidelines and an application form can be downloaded from www.camelotfoundation.org.uk/tl.asp . If you require any further assistance, or wish to discuss your project proposal before completing the application form, please call The Camelot Foundation office on 0207 828 6085 or e-mail info@camelotfoundation.org.uk
Deadline - 17 August 2007

GIVE IT A GO

The scheme – funding for community based activities, facilities, projects and services to young people in Angus. This can include arts, craft, creative, music, sports etc. activities and projects. The scheme is for those aged 8-18.
Amount – up to £600 per application
Contact – apply through the Community Safety Team by completing an application form. These are available form Yvonne Gellatly, Community Safety Team, The Old Police House, 15 Reform St, Kirriemuir, Tel 01575 573581 email GellatlyY@angus.gov.uk
Deadline – none given

AWARDS

BURA Community Awards

The British Urban Regeneration Association is calling for entries to the Awards for Community Inspired Regeneration. Entries are invited from projects in urban and rural areas across the UK which demonstrates a track record of success in:

• Being inspired by the community
• Contributing to raising community spirit and improving quality of life for local people;
• Being accountable and responsive to local stakeholders
• Addressing issues identified by the local community. 

The closing date for entries is 3 August 2007.
For further information visit website or contact BURA on 020 7539 4030

FUNDING SUPPORT

 

THEY’VE MOVED

Angus Care and Repair have moved to Carseview Road, Forfar DD8 3BT. Tel 01307 463232, Fax 01307 461619 enquiries@anguscareandrepair.org

LOANS

EVERGREEN LOANS LAUNCHED

Ethical banking expert Triodos has pioneered a new system of loans that will allow charities and social
enterprises to repeatedly take out and pay back loans up to a fixed amount within a fixed time period. The revolving credit facilities, sometimes known as an ‘evergreen’ system, has been used before in commercial markets but has not previously been applied in the third sector. For further details go to:
http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/Channels/SocialEnterprise/Article/665441/Evergreen-loans-launch/

POSTCARDS OF ANGUS

In July 2007, The Open Championship returns to Carnoustie - an event that will bring golfers and spectators from all over the world to Angus.  With all the excitement and international interest surrounding this famous sporting event, what better opportunity to inspire the young people of Angus and showcase their enterprising skills!

Rising to this challenge, primary pupils throughout the county have been busy putting their creative ideas into practice by producing designs for postcards and carrier bags on the theme 'What Angus Means to Me'.

A number of the designs have been selected for both products and have been professionally produced for distribution in the run-up to and during The Open.

It is, of course, the hope that the bags will be used as a promotional tool and the postcards will be sent all over the world during the summer months, and thanks to the support of a number of local businesses, the postcards and carrier bags will be available, free of charge, from various outlets throughout Tayside.

We have lots of postcards and carrier bags to give away and the hope is that we will get as many outlets as possible for these.  We would therefore invite all businesses to take a supply of each. 

In return for your support in this matter we will be publicising the organisations/retailers that are supporting us in this project throughout the summer months.

If you are able to assist with this project, then please get in touch and we will arrange delivery of the items to you. For further information, please contact Scott Petrie, Manager, Scottish Business in the Community on 01674 672035 scott@sbc-angus.com or Lesley Watson, Business Liaison Officer, Angus Council on 01307 473932 WatsonL@angus.gov.uk.

FUNDING SUCCESS

Young People’s Fund grants have been given to :-
The Café, Arbroath which received  £107,992 for their street football project
Drug Initiative Group (Pitstop), Forfar which received  £101,336 to employ a project worker over 3 years, to  extend the drop in provision to day time sessions while supporting young people to plan for their futures.