Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant Scheme What Makes A Good Bid?

Today we will cover… Some of the basics An opportunity to ask questions An exercise Top tips

Know your Armed Forces Community What do you know about the Armed Forces in your area? Do you know where the nearest Regular or Reserve unit is? Is there family accommodation in your area? How do you find out the needs of the military in your area?

What makes a good bid? Demonstrate the need being fulfilled Community need Military community need How many will be influenced? Keep it focused and simple Fill in all the details Be clear on your costings and refer back to the… Criteria and guidance Give yourself plenty of time to prepare your bid Don’t take an existing bid off the shelf and sprinkle military terms through it!

Does your bid give off VIBES? V – Value for money I – Impact on identified need B – Bring communities together E – Enable an activity, (matched funding is a bonus) S – Supported by stakeholders

To consider Check for duplication – is the service already provided by MOD, MOD Agencies, military charities, non-military charities, your own organisation, the NHS… What are your organisation’s strategic objectives? What are you trying to achieve regionally? How can we tie your objectives and military opportunity together? Is this the best place for your bid? Does it link back to your action plan?

Five Aims of Community Covenant Encourage local communities to support the Armed Forces Community in their areas Nurture public understanding and awareness amongst the public of issues affecting the Armed Forces Community Recognise and remember the sacrifices faced by the Armed Forces Community Encourage activities which help to integrate the Armed Forces Community into local life Encourage the Armed Forces Community to help and support the wider community, whether through participation in events and joint projects, or other forms of engagement

Successful bids (part 1) Youth Faith History Health

Successful bids (part 2) Employment Education Play!

Decision making process Idea generated by YOU Local Community Covenant Board Regional Community Covenant Board Administration of finances, advice, auditing, CE Team, Sp Comd Armed Forces Covenant Team HM Treasury Approval Y/N Bids which are Novel, Contentious or over £70,000

What if your project changes? Talk to your local panel Explain what you’d like to happen and why The local panel can advise and/or take advice For the auditors, confirm it in writing

After a bid – what can you expect? The LA may have additional Terms and Conditions to sign up to Provide regular reports back to the LA Expect a financial audit Provide a final report Demonstrate outcome Meeting the original objectives Show where the money went Opportunities for publicity Local, regional, national

Top Tips If your bid points to a shortfall in provision, provide evidence that your proposal goes above and beyond current provision Take advice early Demonstrate sustainability for projects longer than 12 months Matched funding is not essential but is beneficial, if you can’t get matched funding then explaining why is also helpful If you are working with other organisations please be clear on their status e.g. not for profit organisations or charities Lead the way!

Further information Armed Forces Day Heritage Lottery Fund ( covenant scheme (for WW1 memorial repairs & cleaning)