Finding the Fund and Applying STP Funding Workshop Finding the Fund and Applying Edinburgh, 16 September 2015 Michael McKernan, East Renfrewshire Council

Role – Senior Economic Development Officer Dedicated remit to help grow the Council’s and strategic partner’s external funding practice Provide briefings and support to the Council and partners to increase our share of external funding Project development for a wide range of projects – capital & revenue, thematic basis Add value to the bidding process - provide support to Council and partners on marketing and project applications Link funding opportunities with main policy areas – employability, business development, regeneration, welfare reform mitigation, town centres Horizon scanning on new policies and issues affecting external funding East Renfrewshire traditionally seen as funding ‘cold-spot’ however with dedicated resources we have secured over £4m from external funding bodies in the last 12 months

Finding the Fund and Applying Step 1 – Planning your project Step 2 – Identifying the correct funder Step 3 – Writing your project application Step 4 – Project success – during & post funding

Step 1 – Planning your project Identifying need Do you have support for your project? What is the need/demand? Consultations/surveys? Is the need being met locally/nationally? What is available locally? Displacement? Duplication? Partnerships? Your expertise? Does your organisation have the necessary skills/experience to deliver the project? Project budget & resources What will the project pay for? Does it require match-funding? What resources do you have/need? Time; funds; venue; experience; staff & volunteers? Outcomes & impacts Need to be SMART What will the project achieve? Showcase progress Can be measured/assessed Evaluation & monitoring Important to funders & beneficaries Can be assessed/measured Results can be used for baseline information/future bids & programmes

Step 2 – Identifying the right funder for your project Choosing the right funder: Eligibility of applicant – public, 3rd sector, local community group, private; legal status; location Project matches eligibility criteria Project can deliver outcomes Match to aims/mission of project How big is the grant? Is match-funding required? When will the grant be released? cashflow issues – grant payments in arrears? Project application deadlines – does this fit your project timescales? Finding funders: Local authority Private sector Community foundations Local CVS Scottish Government Europe Word of mouth Successful projects Search funding databases – e.g. STP, GrantFinder SLOG

Step 3 – Writing your application Clearly demonstrate what you want the project to achieve & align with funder’s eligibility criteria Cashflow budget/ How much money do you need/when do you need it? Step 3 What are you delivering and when? Monitoring – why/who/what/when? Demonstrate need & objective – match what beneficiaries need with funding provider Be persuasive – opportunity to sell project to funder Use factual information - not anecdotal What are the funders motivations, aims & objectives? Speak to them Demonstrate partnership, added value , no displacement & no duplication of services/activity Ensure sustainability/exit strategy – further funding? Staffing/maintenance costs

Step 4 – Ensuring success of the project & beyond Effective record keeping – electronic/hard copies Have a clear delivery plan Step 4 Partnership meetings/steering groups – keep everybody in the loop Ensure that the project delivers against what is written in the application Meet or exceed project targets Clearly define roles & responsibilities – who/when/why/what Reliable financial reporting & monitoring procedures Marketing & communications – communication action plan, use of social media etc Effective MIS in place to capture all relevant information Does the project require an independent evaluation? Exit strategy?

What funds are available in Scotland? Literally hundreds of external funds available. You may wish to focus on: Community Funding Comic Relief Local Communities Programme Peoples Postcode Trust Local Communities Programme Hugh Fraser Foundation The Robertson Trust Regeneration Scottish Government Capital Regeneration Grant Fund Building Repair Grant – HS Heritage Enterprise Vacant & Derelict Land Fund Town Centre Communities Capital Fund (TCCCF) Environment Parks for People - HLF Community Action Grant – SNH Natural Projects Grant – SNH Grow Wild Funding Healthy Towns Cycle Friendly and Sustainable Community Fund Sports Facilities Fund – Sport Scotland Esmee Fairbairn Foundation – Food Strand Culture & Arts Creative Scotland Foyle Foundation – SGS Museum Galleries Scotland BBC Performing Arts Fund Employment & Training European Social Fund – LAs Skills Development Scotland DWP Low Carbon Skills Fund City Deal

Win a bigger slice of external funding STP - Vision Meet the need/demand of the local area Build capacity and resources for successful bids Develop partnership relationships Widening the scope of services in your area Enhance perception of areas to funders Harness internal /external expertise to strengthen position Review of market place on area/thematic basis Win a bigger slice of external funding

Q&A

Michael McKernan, External Funding Officer East Renfrewshire Council T: 0141 577 3106 michael-mckernan@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk