Funding Programmes

The TDA works closely with regional agencies including the South West Regional Development Agency and Learning and Skills Council as well as national government to optimise public sector investment coming into the area.

Since the establishment of the TDA in 2004 grants of over £20 million have been secured in support of projects including the third and final phase of Torquay Waterfront Regeneration, the first two sites of the Torbay Innovation Centre programme and the Brixham Regeneration scheme. The grants and public sector investment has generated further private sector investment in Torbay of over £30 million.

It is clear though that Torbay's economic issues remain acute and require continued investment from the public sector. The TDA is therefore closely involved in the development of the new European programmes to ensure that the area can take full advantage of the opportunities that will emerge.

As a direct result of our involvement in this development process Torbay has secured priority status under one of the themes of the new Competitiveness programme for the South West alongside Bristol and Plymouth. TDA will be working over the last quarter of 2007 on the development of a programme for Torbay that will help create new opportunities particularly for our more disadvantaged wards. We expect that the programme will be launched locally early in 2008.

Further information on the new European programmes covering the South West is available from the South West Regional Development Agency www.southwestrda.org.uk

Writing Successful Funding Bids

Once you've developed a project idea the preparation and planning are vital to ensuring that the project is a success. This section gives an indication of the process you might undertake while considering a funding bid. Not all projects will require the same level of planning and some sections will be more relevant to you than others but you are encouraged to spend some time considering these issues before you commit time and money to the development of a funding application. To the uninitiated project planning might seem very new but most of us so it every day in some way whether its planning a shopping trip or preparing for a holiday similar skills are used!

Planning your project

No matter where you are looking to get funding from you should familiarise yourself with the funding organisation or programme and their objectives, dont assume that they will be the same as what you want to achieve. To help applicants, funding organisations will produce information packs to guide you through the process and offer advice on the organisations and activities that are eligible.

Before submitting an application you need to have a clear idea of:

  • Project objectives - They should be clear, measurable objectives and should be shaped by what the project will achieve. The project objectives should indicate where you seek funding from rather than shoehorning an idea into a particular funding scheme.
  • Why the project is needed - You will be asked to prove the need and you should use facts and statistics to support an application and before you submit a bid consider where the information will come from. Has a feasibility study been carried out, or does your organisation need to do any research? Its also worth finding out if there is already something similar going on in your area and whether your plans can link to it or complement it?
  • Who will benefit - To maximise your chances of success applications should be able to properly show the need for the project and the likely benefits as a result so consider who will benefit from the project? Whether the application is to buy new business equipment, create an open space or provide training people and organisations benefit and you need to identify how. When youre thinking about this also consider how you will monitor the project so that it complies with physical and financial results expectations which you and your funders will have.
  • The project costs - Have you worked out an accurate cost for the project which takes into account all elements? You might want to consider costs such as salaries, rental, equipment, maintenance and repairs, recruitment and training and marketing.
  • How the project will be delivered - although few funds support individuals and most support organisations, increasingly funders are looking to see how projects fit in with local or regional strategies. You will need to consider whether your organisation has the capacity and ability to deliver a project on its own or whether working in a partnership would share the risks, improve the overall project or simplify delivery. Depending on the funder you may need a written constitution, a set of accounts, an annual report, a business plan, a Board of Directors or List of Trustees and/or a Steering Group.

Writing your funding application

Most funders that use application forms will also provide guidance notes, its vital to make sure that you read these guidelines to avoid making, often expensive, mistakes. These notes will;

  • Outline the rules and criteria for the fund. - Certain funds are only available for businesses, registered charities or for specific geographic areas so make sure that you comply with the points they set out before setting out on an application.
  • Highlight the objectives and outcomes the fund should achieve. - The notes may also give examples of projects that they will not support. It is common for funders to provide examples of the sorts of initiatives they are looking to support however so that others can look to learn about best practice and successful projects.
  • Help you make sure that you answer the questions in the right way. - Some questions may have two or three parts to them and the guidance notes will help make clearer what you should be including in your answer.

Filling in the application form

If you are unable to save and amend your application form on a computer, make sure you start with a draft or copy version before completing the actual form and always check your spelling!

Answer the question that has been asked - dont just include what you think is important and as a general rule make sure you use most of the space provided. If the question gives you a whole page to answer and you write 2 lines, youre definitely not providing sufficient detail.

Applicants should show that more than one source of information has been used to support decisions and the shape of the project, be aware that vague statements and assertions will damage your chances of success. From your planning you should be able to show how many people will benefit, how they will benefit and what the expected results will be you should be as funders want to know how your project will solve the problems identified in your application.

A common mistake is the use of unexplained jargon and acronyms so dont presume that whoever appraises the application knows what you are talking about. Explain abbreviations and terminology and where necessary set the scene give some information on the location or the sector to help the person appraising the application understand the problems and how they will be solved.

Use the funders language on occasions - for example; partnerships, capacity building, innovative, empowering, breaking down barriers if you notice these buzz words in the guidance notes then repeat them in some of your answers.

Dont rely on one persons view of the application form and look for feedback from your proposed steering group or some of the people who will be involved in organising the delivery of the project. This will help to make the project more real and avoids one person taking the blame or the plaudits for an application.

Managing your project

It is vital that you set up a system for monitoring and evaluating your project before you start. You will need to ensure that the project delivery, finances and progress towards any agreed outputs are effectively monitored and controlled. Funding organisations will be interested in your ability to control project costs and where necessary identify and address any areas where there is a difference which could limit the success of the project.

Applicants should find out what the requirements are for the organisations who are providing the support, they may be able to offer you help and advice or tell you of similar groups whos systems and processes are recognised as being of good quality. Where possible dont reinvent the wheel and learn from any existing good practice during the development of the project, dont wait until the money is agreed before considering this important part of project management.

All projects will be expected to produce some form of benefit, these outputs will be agreed with the funding body during the appraisal of your application and they should be able to give you clear guidance on what criteria they are looking for. You may also be able to agree with the funding body how often you can claim and what supporting information you must submit before the claim will be paid. If you have the option of monthly rather than quarterly claims consider what effect this might have on your staffing resources and organisations cash flow, it might be that smaller more frequent claims are the best way forward.

Its also important to consider what happens after the funding stops, will the service provided by the funding be reduced or a fee introduced or will it be disbanded entirely? Its important that the sustainability of your project is considered at an early stage as getting money in for a project might be attractive at the outset but having a successful project stop after the initial round of funding might be counterproductive.

Finally bear in mind that these are suggestions and none of the above is intended to replace any guidance which funding organisations provide.

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