Highland Community Regeneration Funding
Have you spotted the Highland Community Regeneration Funding yet? If so, the first point on this blog is act quick! Expressions of interest for the funding need to be in by Friday 7th October. While it is a short timescale it was clear as we were out and about visiting the brilliant communities across Highland over last week for #scotclimateweek that many of you are looking to apply but are also looking for a few tips and confidence with your expressions of interest. We’ve therefore compiled this quick little blog to simply go over some aspects of the funding that is on offer via Highland Council and also some general tips around securing funding.
You can find all of the information you need about the funding by clicking on the link below. There are further guidance notes available about who can apply and how you can apply.
2. Our top tip as always is before applying for any funding, read the small print. Have a good look through all of the guidance notes and think about how your project will fit within the criteria for the fund, it is very wide criteria for projects covering many themes. Look in the Who Can Apply section for a full breakdown but projects should demonstrate that they can fit the objective of themes People, Place, Economy and Environment.
3. The minimum amount of funding you can apply for should not be less than £5,000 and there is no set maximum. Plus, if your project has social aims then you can apply for 100% of project costs.
4. The usual caveats apply from the criteria of being a voluntary, community organisation, charity and so on, again, always check the small print if you aren’t sure and read the guidance notes.
5. Application is by an Expression of Interest, it is a really lovely, simple form to complete. But if you are stuggling, have hit brain fog, can’t see the wood from the trees then give us a shout and we are more than happy to cast our eyes over it for you and help you to work through it.
Our top tips on securing funding for your organisation are as always:
Read all of the guidance notes
Be clear in your ask, what are you actually looking to do? Quite often it is easier to start with the ask and then work your way back. Start with the ask and then answer the why.
The why? Is important, how have you come to the conclusion that this project is needed for your community? Do you have evidence from local place plans, from surveys from what your community is telling you? Back up your ask with your why. If you need some evidence for this funding then please check out the results of the Engage Highland Survey which you can find by clicking the button below.
What difference will securing this funding make to your organisation and community? Just as important as the ask and the why.
Numbers, try and have your numbers right and realistic. Think when you are entering numbers into an application form if you can really evidence that spend and for salaries always include on costs, you will have employer’s national insurance and pensions that need to be paid plus consider if your staff will need travel or expenses costs. It is often the little bits that we forget which mount up. If you aren’t sure how to calculate your on costs, we have a handy budgeting template with a spreadsheet which will work that out for you. Just get in touch and we will be happy to send it over.
Fill out each part of the form, use your word count. Might sound daft but we can all get into the guts of a form and then forget to put our actual name on it!
Get someone to proof read it for you. If you don’t have a colleague or Board Member at hand and are a lone worker, send it over to us, we will happily proof it for you.
Key criteria is that sustainability and the how your project will account for the transition to a low carbon economy, if you want any help at all from us, please get in touch. Our Development Officers are waiting to assist (quickly!! given the closing date!!) and even more so if your application is accepted and we can help shape this into your full application.
