Merseyside - Remaining grant allocation and moving towards evaluation

Posted on Mon 05 December 2011

About

Previously the Fair Share Trust funded areas were managed by separate grants officers and whilst all on track with spend allocation, each area was at a different stage. After taking position in September 2010 the Fair Share Trust Grants Manager took responsibility for all 5 areas. It was agreed that the immediate priority was to arrange Panels in all areas, review local priorities in preparation for final priority document submissions, refresh where needed and arrange a timeframe for remaining grant allocation. This has been done and all areas are on track for 100% allocation by September 2011 with all projects to be completed by December 2012.

 

This will allow us as local agent to concentrate purely on sustainability and evaluation for the remaining 18 months of the programme without the worry of allocating funding. This has already started in one sense as funded groups are invited to attend panel meetings to discuss sustainability and future planning of their work. Quarterly monitoring is focusing on this and the Grants Manager and Support Worker are encouraging groups to look forward and seek any commissioning/partnership working opportunities to further develop their fantastic work in making a real difference for their community.

 

An action plan and timeframe for the local evaluations is being drawn up. We are researching various methods of evaluation that will suit each local area to ensure the maximum number of people can be engaged, as all are very different. The Grants Manager is also taking feedback from another programme through our Community Foundation- the evaluation of a European funding programme which is currently taking place. Further details will be provided in future monitoring.

Back to top