David Gourlay’s presentation to EDAS – 26/04/07
Introduction
I am not going to talk about the current Structural Funds situation in Scotland and the UK as this was covered by other speakers.
Main point: overall, more EU member states means more competition for Structural Funds and less money for the UK -> same ‘cake’ but more guests at the birthday party!
Scotland will receive approximately 40-45% of what it currently receives in the 2000-2006 period. Lowlands and Uplands Scotland will receive €645million under the Competitiveness and Employment Objective. This represents a reduction of approximately 53% on current Structural Funds levels in the area.
A recent Glasgow Council for Voluntary Organisations survey showed that 96% of voluntary sector organisations fear for their future beyond the current financial year.
Fear -> there is no silver bullet -> need to look at other funding programmes both European and national:
“It’s easy to have a tunnel vision with ‘favourite funds’ due to past success”
My aim over the remaining 20 minutes is:
Not to give you an exhaustive list of all the funding streams available;
To give you an overview of the main types of funds available, or “families of funds”
Other European Programmes
The EU provides funding for a wide range of programmes that support European policy aims – known as ‘non-Structural funds programmes’. A wide range of areas can be funded ranging from energy (Intelligent Energy for Europe programme funds for example new and renewables resources) to fighting fraud (Hercules – training in the area of fight against fraud, exchanges of personnel, conferences, etc).
Characteristics
These programmes are available throughout the EU not just in a specific geographical area. Advantage: you can apply wherever you are.
There used to be a much wider number of programmes with two ‘types’ of programmes: small annual programmes that may well not be renewed from one year to the other; larger multiannual programmes (for example Socrates Eramus has been around for over 20 years) -> Tendency to now have a smaller number of large multi-annual programmes covering the same period 2007-2013 as the Structural Funds. Advantage: you no longer have to race to meet tight deadline.
Most of the management was from Brussels including selection of projects -> management is now decentralised to national organisations. Ex: ECOTEC is responsible for Leonardo; MEDIA Desk including the Media Antenna in Scotland. Advantage: you do not have to speak French to get information before or after applying!
Who can apply? Non-structural funds are primarily available to public sector bodies. In some cases businesses across the EU can also apply.
Transnationality: usually your project has to involve at least three EU countries -> Drawback: risks linked with working with partners, need to build up partnerships in little time.
Soft measures are supported: For example, transnational conferences or seminars, exchanges of experience, awareness-raising activities as well as funding for pilot actions, feasibility studies and demonstration projects.
Examples
LIFE +
What? / Major environment programme. It is subdivide into 3 programmes:- LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity (for example project that eliminated minks to protect birds on Western Isles)
- LIFE+ Environment (for example waste recovery)
- LIFE+ Information and Communication (for example awareness-raising campaigns, conferences, training)
Who can apply? / Open to local authorities as well as private companies, organisations such as SNH, SEPA.
Transnational – does not have to be transnational although this is hightly recommended.
Example(s) / Under LIFE Environment, the types of projects supported include:
Treatment of wastewater – new technology; air quality; noise abatement; development of clean technologies; eco-efficiency.
When? / Calls under Life+ should be issued by the European Commission in the autumn 2007. They will be published in the Official Journal on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily –
How much? / Up to 50%
Where (can I find further information)? / under Environment
Also UK Contacts: for Environment: Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Europe Environment Division Mr Robbie CRAIG Ashdown House, Zone 5/H15 123, Victoria Street UK - London SW1E 6DE Tel: +44 20 7944 6227 Fax: +44 20 7944 3089 E-mail:
Good to know / One of the few EU programmes that does not have to be transnational, especially for LIFE-Nature.
Lifelong Learning programme
What? / Major vocational training and education umbrella programme. It is regroups 4 programmes that have been in existence for years:- Leonardo – vocational training (for example, developing a common training programme)
- Erasmus – Higher education (for example, mobility of HE students)
- Gruntvig – Adult Education
- Comenius – School education (for example exchange of teachers)
Who can apply? / Eligible organisations are those in vocational education and training, other than at tertiary level, as well as organisations facilitating it.
Transnational (at least 3 partners from 3 different countries).
Example(s) / Tourist Board Training mobility applications – Ute and I have done several applications for TBT to send 20 tourism professionals to Malta, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia: exchange of best practice.
VOCMAT - Led by Ayrshire-based Tourist Board Training, the VocMat project aims to develop a training model to improve management skills within the European tourism sector. It brings together partners from a wide range of organisations involved in tourism as well as education and training in Scotland, England, Estonia and Iceland. Partners represent employers and employees and include higher and further education institutions, SMEs and tourist boards.
Before they applied for Leonardo funding, VocMat partners carried out research across the EU which identified many barriers that prevented people from accessing vocational training. They also identified significant knowledge and skills gaps in the tourism sector in areas such as strategic management, tourism marketing and human resource management. To address these gaps VocMat is developing a European solution through a new, innovative and flexible training method that is targeted at middle and senior tourism managers. The focus is on providing training people can access in the workplace - or elsewhere if they wish – using online training and assessment materials.
The project’s key outputs will be
a new interactive and flexible model for high-level vocational training;
4 tourism-specific training modules that have been tested by a transnational pilot group throughout the project;
A curriculum for a degree-level vocational qualification that is recognised within all partner countries.
The VocMat project received funding under the Pilot Project strand of the previous Leonardo programme. Since its start in October 2005 it has been highly successful and, since new partners from Catalonia, Malta and Italy – and possibly Turkey – would like to come on board they recently applied for funding under the Transfer of innovation strand of the new programme [Ute and I worked on this at the end of March].
When? / Deadline was 30/3/07. There will be another deadline at the end of 2007 with a deadline of March 2008.
How much? / Up to 75% (so you and your partners have to contribute 25%); (up to €150,000 a year)
Where (can I find further information)? / under
Also UK Contacts: Ecotec for Leonardo tel: 0845 199 2929, Gruntvig
British Council for Comenius and Erasmus tel: 0161 957 7755
Good to know / To a certain extent Leonardo and Grundtvig can replace some of the ESF funding. For example, Grundtvig supports adult learning. This can be learning in a non-formal setting such as on the job learning.
PROGRESS
What? / Activities to combat discrimination; promote gender equality; integration of disabled people in society. PROGRESS is divided into 5 policy sections:Employment
Social inclusion and social protection
Working conditions
Anti-discrimination
Gender equality
PROGRESS is working alongside ESF. “Whereas ESF invests in the implementation of employment and social inclusion policies in the member states, PROGRESS will focus on activities with a strong European dimension to ensure an EU added value.”
Activities that will be supported include:
Analysis (eg carrying out studies)
Mutual learning, awareness and discussion (eg conferences; exchanges of staff);
Support to main actors to promote the sharing of information (eg European networks of NGOs fighting social exclusion and discrimination on grounds of racial origin, age and disability or promotion gender equality).
Who can apply? / Public and private organisations, including local authorities, research institutes, public employment services.
Example / This is a new programme regrouping 5 former programmes. Under one of these (Social Exclusion Action Programme), we (Flo) did work for Leeds City Council on their project called SEEM (Services for Elders from Ethnic Minorities). Black and minority ethnic (BME) elders are an extremely vulnerable group, facing multiple social exclusion; through racism as well as age and poverty. SEEM II will develop and promote solutions to improve health and social care service delivery for this special target group and will identify strategies and examples of good practice across the EU 15 and the Candidate countries. Further information is available from
When? / The call for proposals has not yet been issued.
How much? / Up to 80% of total costs
Where (can I find further information)? / under Employment and Social Affairs
This is managed by DG Employment and Social Affairs
Good to know / PROGRESS covers a wide range of areas ranging from health and safety at work to gender equality.
Solidarity and Management of Migration Flow
What? / The new Solidarity and management of migration flow programme (2007-13) will cover actions in the field of migration. The programme includes 4 sub-programmes:the External Borders Fund
the Integration Fund
the Return Fund
the European Refugee Fund
Eligible actions under the overall programme will include:
accommodation infrastructure or services;
provision of material aid and medical or psychological care;
social assistance, information or help with administrative formalities;
legal aid and language assistance;
education, language training and other initiatives which are consistent with the status of the person;
the provision of support services such as translation and training to help improve reception conditions and the efficiency and quality of asylum procedures;
information for local communities who will be interacting with those being received in the host country.
advice and assistance in areas such as housing, means of subsistence, integration into the labour market, medical, psychological and social care;
actions enabling recipients to adapt to the society of the MemberState in socio-cultural terms, and to share the values enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union;
actions to promote durable and sustainable participation in civil and cultural life;
measures focusing on education, vocational training, recognition of qualifications and diplomas;
actions designed to promote self-empowerment and to enable these persons to provide for themselves;
actions that promote meaningful contact and constructive dialogue between these persons and the receiving society, including actions which promote the involvement of key partners such as the general public, local authorities, refugee associations, voluntary groups, social partners and the broader civil society;
measures to support the acquisition of skills by these persons, including language training;
actions that promote both equality of access and equality of outcomes in relation to these persons' dealings with public institutions.
information and advisory services concerning voluntary return initiatives or programmes;
information on the situation in the country or region of origin or former habitual residence;
general or vocational training and help with reintegration;
action by communities of origin resident in the European Union to facilitate the voluntary return of the persons;
actions which facilitate the organisation and implementation of national voluntary return programmes.
Under the Integration of Third Country Nationals, the types of activities that are covered include intercultural training and dialogue, tools for comparative learning and programmes, activities aimed at the newly arrived third country nationals enabling them to acquire basic knowledge about the host country's language, institutions, socio-economic features, cultural life.
Example / Under the pilot programme, an example of a project that got funding is INVOLVE: Involvement of third country nationals in volunteering and civil activities as a means of better integration. The project was led by Volunteering England and led to the production of a report on the role of volunteering in the integration of migrants across Europe and a dedicated website.
When? / The call for proposals has not yet been issued. The programme was adopted in December 2006 and calls are likely to be published in the third quarter of 2007.
How much? / Up to 80% of total costs
Where (can I find further information)? / European Commission’s website:
National Lottery
5 Lottery distributors: BIG; Heritage Lottery Fund; Sport Scotland; Scottish Arts Council and Awards for All.
Characteristics
For every £1 spent on a National Lottery ticket, 28 pence goes towards good causes.
Ranges from small grants (eg Awards for All grants from £500 to £10,000) to very large grants (eg BIG).
Very competitive.
Example
BIG – Investing in Communities
What? / Growing Community Assets - help communities become stronger by acquiring or developing assets for their own use.Dynamic Inclusive Communities - help build stronger more vibrant communities
Life Transitions - projects that help people deal with change in their lives and encourage them to move on.
Supporting 21st Century Life - projects that enable people to cope with new patterns of life and the pace of change communities are experiencing.
Revenue as well as capital costs.
Who can apply? / A wide range of groups can apply including charities, voluntary and community groups, local authorities, social enterprises or health boards.
Examples / Under the Life Transitions programme:
Funding for employment and learning transitions such as getting back to work after a period of unemployment. For example, activities include supported employment projects and volunteering.
Transitions that people face at challenging times in their lives such as moving from addiction or getting out of debt. Ex. Debt counselling, money management advice.
Examples:
Augment Scotland got £539,542 – The Angus Community Clubhouse will provide greater financial independence, social inclusion and better transferable skills to people with mental health concerns and dual diagnosis. The 'clubhouse' will be a community resource, providing members with the opportunity to take part in all of the running aspects and gain skills to aid recovery. There will also be a community café and craft shop, which will help generate income streams and integrate members with the wider community.
Calvay Housing Association Ltd - £191,653 - This project will provide nursery and childcare places, family support, dedicated youth facilities and services, IT suite and training, community meeting room and a community café to the people of Barlanark in South Easterhouse, Glasgow in it's newly refurbished and extended local community centre.
When? / Ongoing
How much? / Minimum grant £10K Maximum £1million; up to 100% up to 5 years
Where (can I find further information)? /
Good to know / The website has a great journey through lottery under about lottery funding.
Hall Aitken did the evaluation of lottery information gateway
Charitable Trusts
Characteristics
There are over 11,000 charitable trusts ranging from large ones such as Comic Relief to very small, local and specialised ones (for example, the newly created Peter Darrell Trust: Peter Darrell was the founder of Scottish Ballet. The Trust supports choreographers through the choreography award).
Applicants should very often be not-for-profit organisations.
Examples
Esmée Fairnbairn Foundation
Fund / Trust / The Esmée Fairbairn TrustGrant funding / In 2004, 560 grants were made, of which 4% were for over £100,000. The average grant size was £44,000. In 2006, they expect to make grants of £29 million across the UK.
What it funds / Grants are made in four programme areas:
Arts and heritage;
Education;
Environment;
Social Change: Enterprise and Independence: this area aims to enable people and communities facing disadvantage to improve their lives and prioritises those at greatest need.
Criteria / Registered charities and not-for-profit organisations can apply.
Grants may be for one year or for a longer period. Grants are not for longer than 3 years.
Deadlines / There is no deadline and applications can be made at any time. Decisions on grants of £20,000 and under are generally given within two months of receiving the application. Decisions on grants over £20,000 will normally be made within five months.
Comments / The Foundation does not make grants towards capital buildings (i.e. buildings and refurbishment costs).
Examples / Aberdeen Foyer - £57,850
Towards the salary over two years of a business development manager to oversee the development of a social enterprise offering supported training and employment to young people at risk.
Women Like Us - £40,000
Towards core costs to provide flexible employment and enterprise opportunities and support for women returners, including a job-brokerage service.
Scottish Ballet - £151,000
Towards establishing a new dancers' apprentice scheme over three years.
Contact / Grant Applications
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
11 Park Place
LondonSW1A 1LP
Tel: 020 7297 4700
Internet /
BBC Children in Need
Fund / Trust / BBC Children in Need AppealGrant funding / Grants range up to £500,000. Awards are made towards capital or revenue costs and may be one-off or repeated over two or three years.
What it funds / Projects to directly help disadvantaged children and young people (18
and under).
One-off grants for:
Capital projects
Seasonal projects (for example holiday play schemes)
Holidays and outings
Equipment and welfare funds.
Criteria / Applicants should be non-profit organisations that have a written Child Protection Policy (namely self-help groups; voluntary organisations; registered charities).
Projects must benefit children and young people who are disadvantaged by:
any kind of disability
behavioural or psychological problems
living in poverty or situations of deprivation
illness, distress, abuse or neglect.
The application should show how the project will change the lives of children for the better and focus on children.
Organisers can only receive a grant once.
Deadlines / There are two deadlines each year – 30 March and 30 November.
Comments / One-year grants are given to the following: capital projects; equipment, welfare funds, seasonal projects (for example holiday play schemes); holidays and outings.
Examples / Home Start GlasgowNorth West -£5K
Quarriers £68K
Renfield Centre Children Fund £344K
Contact / BBC Children in Need Appeal
PO Box 76
LONDON
W3 6FS
Tel: 020 8576 7788
Internet /
Lloyds TSB Foundation