External Funding Update 72 Contents
1. CONNECTING SHROPSHIRE BROADBAND CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED 2. RE:THINK ENERGY – FUNDING ANNOUNCED
3. FUNDING NEWS
4. RECENT GRANT AWARDS TABLE
1. CONNECTING SHROPSHIRE BROADBAND CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED www.connectingshropshire.co.uk
Shropshire Council has launched a major new campaign to promote the need for superfast broadband coverage in Shropshire. As part of this, the Council is seeking government funding, through Broadband UK, to help fund the requisite infrastructure. To provide a case for investment in broadband infrastructure from the public and private sectors, Shropshire Council is appealing to members of the public and businesses to let them know about the broadband issues affecting them. Full details of how to engage in the campaign are on the website.
Unfortunately, Shropshire was not one of the four local authorities to be awarded BDUK funding, in the recent tranche announced on 27th May. However, Shropshire Council is working closely with BDUK in taking the project forward as soon as possible. Therefore, a good response to the campaign will help greatly in advancing Shropshire’s case for investment.
2. RE:THINK ENERGY – FUNDING ANNOUNCED
Over £200,000 of European Funding has now been approved to take forward a £410,000 ‘RE:think Energy’ project in Shropshire, Staffordshire, Herefordshire and Telford & Wrekin. The project will provide financial support for businesses towards Energy Audits and Feasibility Studies that will help identify potential energy efficiency improvements and appropriate use of renewable energy technologies. It is anticipated the project will assist over 200 businesses in two years and will be open for business in July. A RE:think Energy web-site will provide details of the project and how to apply.
B BuussiinneessssaannddEEnntteerrpprriissee Shropshire Council Shirehall Abbey Foregate Shrewsbury Shropshire SY2 6ND Tel: 01743 252271 Fax: 01743 252277 Email: [email protected]
3. Funding News PRISM GRANT FUND
http://www.mla.gov.uk/what/support/grants/PRISM
The PRISM (Preservation of Industrial and Scientific Material) Fund 2011-12 round is now open to applications.
Museums, libraries, archives and preservation trusts entrusted with the care of industrial and scientific heritage can apply for grants of between £500 and £12,000 to help support the acquisition and conservation of items of historical industrial, technological and medical importance throughout England and Wales.
Eligible costs include: • Purchase price • Costs of dismantling • Transport
• Re-erection
• Conservation/restoration costs
Projects including both acquisition and conservation work must be split into two projects, and two application forms filled in.
There is no specified deadline for applications to this funding round. MIDLANDS BUSINESS AWARDS
http://www.midlandsbusinessawards.com/
Ten categories make up the 2012 awards, including: • Midlands Entrepreneur of the Year
• Midlands Networker of the Year • Midlands Service Provider of the Year • Midlands Business Person of the Year • Lifetime Contribution to Midlands' Business
A trophy will be awarded to each winner and certificates will be given to both winners and finalists. Promotion leading up to, during and after the awards ceremony will also be provided, as well as networking opportunities with other influential business people. Nominations may be made by the individual on their own behalf or by their company. Individuals and businesses may also be nominated by a third party.
MORGAN FOUNDATION ENTREPRENEUR AWARDS http://www.mf-awards.co.uk/about.html
The Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards are designed to find a generation of role models, whether they are new businesses, young entrepreneurs or potential entrepreneurs. They aim to create new ventures to boost the UK economy and to recognise those who are successful and on the brink of success.
The Awards are also looking for a special person or business that has overcome obstacles and succeeded 'against the odds'.
There is a total of £115,000 available in prizes. Individual prizes vary, from £2,500 to £20,000, together with the offer of professional services from the sponsors.
The Awards are open to businesses, entrepreneurs or social enterprises based in Merseyside, North Cheshire, North Wales, Shropshire and the Wolverhampton area. Seven categories make up the 2011 Awards:
• Best New Business (less than four years old)
• Best Business providing Economic and Social Contribution to the Region (over the past three years)
• Best Entrepreneurial Social Enterprise or Charity
• Best Entrepreneurial Social Enterprise or Charity based in Liverpool • Best Young Entrepreneur (under 25 years old)
• Best New Business Idea by a Young Entrepreneur
• Against All Odds (person or business overcoming the greatest difficulties, disadvantages and disabilities to succeed)
The 2011 Awards will open to applications on 22 June 2011 and close on 2 September 2011.
RURAL CHALLENGE CAPITAL FUND http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/markettowns
£500,000 is available to Shropshire’s rural communities under the new rural challenge capital fund.
Projects that fall outside Shrewsbury and the market towns of Whitchurch, Oswestry, Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Church Stretton and Market Drayton are eligible.
The Council invites bids for between £7,500 and £40,000 from projects that benefit the local economy. Applicants can be from the public, voluntary, social enterprise or business sectors.
Potential applicants should discuss their projects with their local Community Action Officers before completing an application form.
FAST GROWTH BUSINESS AWARDS http://www.growingbusiness.co.uk/
These awards aim to celebrate the UK's fastest growing mid-market businesses and the people who run them.
The following categories make up the 2011 awards: • Innovative Business of the Year
• Service Business of the Year • Product Business of the Year • Online Business of the Year • Best Use of Technology
• International Business of the Year • New Business of the Year
• Female Entrepreneur of the Year • AIM New Business of the Year
• Angel or VC-backed Business of the Year • Family Business of the Year
• Young Entrepreneur of the Year
The winner of each individual category will be entered into the Fast Growth Business of the Year Award. Winners and finalists will be provided with a logo to use on marketing literature and letterheads, and a template press release to maximise media coverage. To be eligible to enter, a business must:
• have generated revenues for at least two years by 31 December 2010 • have had revenues of at least £1 million in their last 12 months' trading • have fewer than 500 employees at 31 December 2010
• be based within the UK
The deadline for entries is 24 June 2011.
PLACES PEOPLE PLAY - PROTECTING PLAYING FIELDS http://www.sportengland.org/funding/protecting_playing_fields.aspx
The Protecting Playing Fields (PFF) scheme will fund capital projects to establish, develop and improve playing fields for community and sporting use.
Grants of £20,000 to £50,000 are available and match funding is required for all applications.
Eligible organisations are those entitled to receive public funding, including the following: • Voluntary or community organisations
• Local authorities • Sports clubs
• Playing field associations • Charities
• Education establishments
Please note that artificial surface pitches and lighting are ineligible under this scheme. The deadline for receipt of applications for the first round is 6 July 2011.
HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND – KEY POINTS FROM A PRESENTATION AT REGIONAL OFFICERS’ FORUM
www.hlf.org
• HLF will have more funding available due to Government re-distribution of Lottery funding.
• Heritage Grants: Although HLF has reduced the level of match to 5%, it advises this to be a “starting point”. Local groups advised to stay under £50k if they can, if over they are up against national projects and competition is tougher.
• Young Roots: Programme is undersubscribed. Heritage partner does not need to be formal organisation, could be “Friends of” and HLF can help you find a partner if struggling.
• Your Heritage: application has much better chance if it can demonstrate strong partnership working/ contribution.
• Priority areas - “BME” organisations or projects that target these groups • Potential applicants can contact HLF to ask what it has funded in an area, to
reduce duplication.
• Condition Surveys cannot be recovered as it is considered retrospective funding • HLF can also fund, for example, the cost incurred for volunteers to undertake an
ICT course, if this is to make the project sustainable.
• Staffing: HLF will contribute to the costs of backfilling an HLF-funded post in the event that an officer leaves the jobs.
• Full cost recovery needs to be proportionate (e.g. it cannot be 50% of grant) and HLF will ask for evidence but will be light touch
• Volunteer and In-kind: If asking for 100% grant these sections must completed, to demonstrate that the project has support
• Project Plan: the most important section, must have numbers of beneficiaries etc. so they can see value for money
• HLF is considering introducing a programme similar to A4A for projects under £10k.
3. Recent Grant Awards – Mar / Apr 2011
Funder / Programme Applicant Project Award
Awards for All St Martin's Methodist Church The Church will use the funding to refurbish the community room, to
make it more accessible and safer to use. 8,000
Clunbury Village Hall The village hall committee will use the funding to install new staging, lighting and furniture within their village hall. This will encourage further
groups to use the facility. 10,000
Shrewsbury Town F C Community Sports Trust
This will deliver a series of fitness and therapeutic activities for
ex-service personnel with post-traumatic stress disorder. 9,210
Working Together The group will use the funding to set up a weekly social club for people aged 25+ with learning disabilities, to improve their social interaction
and reduce isolation. 8,420
Heritage Lottery Fund Shropshire Council (Much
Wenlock Museum)
Improvements to Much Wenlock Museum, including displays on the Olympic connection and the rich geology of the area – see
http://shropshire.gov.uk/news/2011/05/much-wenlock-museum-wins-huge-lottery-grant/
520,800
If there are any recent grant awards that you would like to highlight in the Update, please email [email protected] with information.
