Introduction
Following discussions with recipients and the community, the Council agreed to implement a revised Community Grants Scheme, introducing three rounds per year and increasing the cap limit to £15,000 per financial year. We conducted a comprehensive consultation on our Community Grants Scheme, focusing on community and third sector organisations. This report aims to summarise the outcomes of the consultation, highlighting the key points raised, and the subsequent actions we have taken. The consultation ran from 1 May until 25 May 2023.
Information on the consultation was disseminated to all organisations that had applied to the East Dunbartonshire Council Community Grants Scheme in the financial years of 20221/22 and 2021/23, and it was promoted via the Council and partner websites and social media platforms. Regular information was posted on social media and posters were disseminated across key community buildings.
In addition, communication was shared through a range of networks and partnerships, including: the CLD partnership; frontline practitioners’ networks; East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Action (EDVA) networks; and the Empowered and Equalities network. A technical note was distributed to Elected Members and chief executives of key community planning partners.
Printed materials were made available in key community locations across 25 venues and a QR code was created to help people easily access information online.
We asked
We asked for your views on our Community Grants Scheme, to help improve the process and support the co-design of a revised scheme.
You said
We received 78 survey responses. In addition, 24 individuals participated in our four focus group sessions, while 69 organisations submitted responses, including community, third sector and organisations representing equality groups. Participants included members, employees, volunteers, trustees and leaders of organisations.
Sixty-four respondents advised they were aware of our grants scheme, whilst six advised they were not. Forty-nine respondents advised they had applied to the Community Grants Scheme, whilst 19 advised they had not.
Most respondents advised we should improve campaigns to raise awareness of the scheme and review/simplify our application process.
The majority of respondents expressed the need for more transparency in funding criteria and decision making.
There was strong agreement with the increased funding cap ad offer of an additional round per financial year.
Many respondents emphasised the importance of fostering collaboration among grant recipients and encouraging networking opportunities.
Respondents expressed the desire for more robust monitoring and evaluation of the scheme.
Respondents identified that monitoring the impact of funded projects should be clear, meaningful and support future emerging needs
We carefully analysed the feedback received and identified common themes and patterns. The responses were categorised into key areas to help us gain a comprehensive understanding of the stakeholders’ perspectives:
- Awareness and Accessibility
- Funding Criteria
- Collaboration and Networking
- Evaluation and Impact.
We did
We aim to deliver a co-designed Community Grants Scheme which empowers and support our communities by providing accessible funding opportunities which enable local initiatives that contribute to the wellbeing and development of our communities.
We will improve the promotion and visibility of the grants scheme through targeted marketing strategies such as: community noticeboards; community bulletins/newsletters; enhanced promotion on social media platforms; and greater collaboration with partner organisations including the community sector.
We have revised our application process – including a more streamlined process – and will provide clear, transparent guidelines to enhance accessibility, particularly for smaller community groups with limited resources.
We have co-designed a clear set of criteria for assessing funding applications and have provided detailed information about the decision-making process.
We have included weighted consideration for organisations addressing isolation requesting awards up to £750.
In collaboration with the Grants Advisory Committee, we will organise regular community events – including workshops where grantees can share their experiences, learn from each other, build connections and support greater partnership approaches.
We have introduced a revised monitoring form.
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You said |
We did |
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We would rather have had a paper copy to post. |
Paper copies will be available in our libraries, Community Hubs and can be posted to applicants. Please contact communityplanning@eastdunbarton.gov.uk |
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Can you email applicants with a printable version as acknowledgement of receipt please? |
We will forward applicants a copy of their submitted online application form. |
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There are a few repetitive questions. |
We have streamlined the application form, asking pertinent questions to enable transparent process. |
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You cannot save application and return to it. |
Our current web-based online application form does not allow us to offer the ability to save the document and return. The application requires to be completed in one go. However, we are happy to forward potential applicants a Word document or the application in a format that best meets their needs. |
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Advertise the grant more and give examples of how the money made an impactful positive difference on funded projects. |
We will, in collaboration with the Grants Advisory Committee, provide an impact report and include more case studies to highlight projects funded by the Community Grants Scheme. |
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Why do previous applicants require to resubmit their documents, including constitution, accounts? Save previous information submitted for future applications. |
We require to ask applicants for copies of their governing documents (constitutions), up-to-date bank statement and externally verified approved accounts for every fresh application. This supports our due diligence checks. |
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Your instructions could be a bit clearer. Please provide more supportive assistance with completion of the forms. This can be a barrier to completion. |
We have improved our support to applicants and would encourage potential applicants to contact us. We are also working closer with our partners including East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Action (EDVA). |
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Provide more information on how application assessed. |
We have provided clearer information on the application process, including how we assess applicants. The scoring matrix used for our assessment is included in our guidance notes. |
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Provide more publicity and open events for groups to attend and learn about the scheme. |
In collaboration with the Grants Advisory Committee there is commitment to carry out more promotion and deliver a range of events, including funding workshops. |
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The cost of venues is not an eligible criteria, this can be a barrier to group developing and supporting activities. Review your criteria to enable funding requests to include costs for the hire of venues owned by East Dunbartonshire Council, including buildings managed by third parties. |
We have reviewed our criteria and we have included venue hire, regardless of ownership. This includes buildings owned by East Dunbartonshire Council. |
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Provide training and clearer information on the supporting documents, including accounts. |
In collaboration with the Grants Advisory Committee and our Community Learning and Development Partners, we will deliver a range of training opportunities including workshops on applying to the Community Grants Scheme and the requirements of supporting information, including accounts. |
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Be more flexible when it comes to quotes as sometimes the items are unavailable or change |
We ask applicants to provide two quotes for any single item costing £500 or more per individual item. This supports evidencing value for the public pound. |
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The website is difficult to navigate. |
We have revised our webpages and improved our search function. |
Conclusion
Your participation in this consultation process has been vital to shaping our approach and ensuring our actions are aligned with our community and third sector organisations. We appreciate your valuable contributions, which has guided our decision-making process. Going forward we remain dedicated to incorporating community voices and ensuring that your feedback continues to inform our actions.
We look forward to continued engagement as we work towards achieving our shared goals.
Thank you once again for your time and input. Should you have any further questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us. You can email communityplanning@eastdunbarton.gov.uk or call 0300 123 4510.