You can now apply for a 2009/2010 Community Grant, but please note that:

• The budget for the programme has not been confirmed
• It is important that you make clear how the activity you propose will contribute to the achievement of LAA 2 Targets
• The closing date is November 30th but no decisions will be made until January/February 2009

The new grants programme will use the skills and experience of voluntary, community and Social Enterprises to assist the Council and partners in meeting the targets set out in the Local Area Agreement (LAA 2).

The LAA is an agreement between the Swindon Partnership Board and the Government which identifies 46 targets to be achieved by March 2011. A summary identifying the targets is attached as an appendix to this letter.

Organisations will be invited to put forward proposals that will assist in meeting one or more of the targets

Who can apply for a grant?

It is proposed that any voluntary, community or social enterprise organisation can apply for a grant.

The funding will not be for the core costs of the organisation but will go towards the achievement of defined objectives. Whilst applying organisations will be able to claim for overheads, this will need to be proportionate to the scale and cost of the project.

Application Forms

To apply for a Community Grant, please download and complete an application form:

Community Grants 2009/2010 Application Form (PDF)

Application forms are also available to collect in person from Community Services at Premier House, Station Road, Swindon, SN1 1TZ or by post. To request a copy, please telephone Kathleen Daley on 01793 466468

Closing date: 30 November 2008 - Please note that late applications will not be processed

Selection and Evaluation of proposals

All applications will be evaluated by a panel comprising officers from the departments involved in each of the five LAA blocks below

• Safer and Stronger Communities
• Healthy Communities and Older People
• Economic Development and Enterprise
• Children and Young People
• Environment and Sustainability.

Proposals will be evaluated as follows:

1. Value for Money and contribution towards achieving LAA 2 targets -25%

• Direct contribution to achievement of LAA2 target
• Unit cost of outputs
• Is it integral or additional to achieving the LAA target?

2. Ability of applicant to deliver proposal - 20%

• Experience and skills within the organisation
• Track Record of delivery

3. Quality of proposal - 25%

• What research has been undertaken to measure need?
• Is the marketing and targeting good enough?
• Are the outputs achievable?
• Is the budget realistic?
• Is the measurability adequate?

4. Innovation - 20%

• What is new about the approach?
• Is it capable of replication?

5. Contribution to the organisation’s development - 10%

• How will the project support the on-going development of the applying organisation?
• What is in place for future sustainability or exit planning?

A set of possible projects are available as part of the Guidance but applicants are not required to use these which are examples.

Funding Priorities & Guidelines

For more information about Community Grants, please see:

Funding Priorities & Guidelines (PDF)

Community Grants 2009/10 Appendix 1 (PDF)