Key issues from LCD MARS Seminar – 26th June 2002
By Dave Percival
The 2003/4 Grant
The 2002/3 Grant application was 100% oversubscribed with 69 organisations seeking £9.6M in funding.
The 2003-4 funding structure and approach will closely be based on that for this present round in terms of the process and criteria.
- The department recognises the tension between funding existing services and those from new entrants and is endeavouring to find a balanced approach.
- A separate review of the “Core Funding” for Relate etc is underway.
- There will be even more emphasis on delivering against a Business Plan, and monitoring outcomes to demonstrate Value for Money.
Government funding is never granted for longer than 3 years. The MARS funding in particular is seen as “getting services up and running, not for “continuing services – Hart was clear that services must not be solely dependent on LCD funds. In the group sessions later it was suggested that there are multiple sources available and that agencies should look closely at the criteria for each and build a portfolio approach.
Lessons from the successful Applicants
- Use good marketing practice – be aware of your market, the needs of the clients, the benefits that your proposals offer etc
- Be aware of other agencies – look closely at partnerships, but build them in advance, not just for funding purposes
- Use the LCD document – be very focussed on answering precisely the question that it asks. If you are new to the game, then try to partner with a more experienced organisation to learn the tricks.
- Make sure you have an ongoing dialogue with LCD and align your application closely to their strategy
- Be very clear on the evidence of the need – given the problems of measuring the long term outcome, being clear that you are clearly meeting specific measurable needs is critical.
- Judge the scale – don’t try to tackle too big an area/issue – small measurable steps are best.
- Be very clear on your agencies priorities, especially if making multiple applications.
- Be prepared to share your knowledge and capability with others.
Highlights from “Question Time” session
- Partnerships are key. For example 1+1 can help extensively with evaluation, but there must be plenty of dialogue and involvement ahead of a bid. Similarly Relate are keen to help (but not just lend their “Brand”)!
- The LCD may well organise a specific workshop on evaluation and statistical issues involving ONS to try to move the issue forward.
- Many “Core” organisations are keen to work with the minority/ethnic/faith based groups to access niche problem areas in society – lot’s of opportunity for collaboration
- There is a real tension in relying on the voluntary sector, and trying to create accountability and professionalism. The provision of short-term funding also mitigates against establishing long term services. The response was to look to alternative sources of funding (eg Sure Start at a local level)
- The point was forcibly made that if the conundrum of funding is to be solved then a real policy shift is needed
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