Neath Port Talbot Public Service Board Building Safe and Resilient Communities (BSRC) Innovate and Create Development Fund Working Together for a Better Community 1. Areas of Benefit – Upper Amman & Swansea Valleys (Cwmllynfell, Rhiwfawr, Gwaun Cae Gurwen, Cwmgors and Lower Brynamman) and Briton Ferry and Melin (Neath). 2. Aims – The Innovate and Create Fund is a local flexible grant that aims to improve the health and well-being of the local population and strengthen the capacity of communities to become resilient, better connected and empowered to address the local issues and increase community based activity. 3. Criteria – The Innovate and Create Fund – is to help the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise Sector to realise their projects and ideas that help address the need of local residents and help build sustainable connected resilient communities. To be eligible – all projects must: Be new or build on existing projects Be able to demonstrate sustainability beyond the life of the grant Show that they will reduce pressures on public sector services and/or offer direct savings to public sector services. The Innovate and Create Fund has two funding streams: Cultivate Grants – grants of up to £20,000 aimed at encouraging local networks and organisations where people help themselves and each other. Innovate Grants – up to £35,000 for projects with ideas that demonstrate an innovative approach to addressing local needs. Please note all grants awarded must be spent by 31st August 2020. Application Deadlines – applications must be returned by 5pm on: 9th September 2019, 22nd October 2019, 2nd January 2020, 25th February 2020 Completed applications can be returned electronically to the Grants Administrator, Sharon House, on [email protected] Alternatively they can be sent to Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service, Tŷ Margaret Thorne, 17-19 Alfred Street, Neath, SA11 1EF. 1 BSRC I&CDFund 10.10.19 4. Assessment Criteria – The Application Form for the Innovate and Create Fund invites applicants to demonstrate how they meet the criteria against which the project will be scored. We will consider the following criteria: Evidence of Need - how have you evidenced the need for your project? Have the community and/or other community groups been involved in its development? Have you considered whether you (or another organisation) are already delivering all or part of the project you propose. If you are already delivering, explain how your project differs from current provision (e.g. different beneficiaries, different approach or in a different location). Benefit - Who will benefit from your project? How will your project benefit the community? How will your project increase the capacity within communities and make people and communities more resilient? Impact - What difference will your project make? What outcomes do you aim to deliver and how you will measure them? (Outcomes are the changes or difference your project will make to address identified areas). Are your project outcomes credible and deliverable in the timescale? Please also indicate how you think your project will help in reducing pressures on Public Sector Services – this could include; Social Services, Healthcare, Crime & Community Safety, Education, Housing or Environment. Sustainability - It is important that you demonstrate how you see your project progressing after this funding comes to an end. 5. Support and Guidance – support and guidance will be provided by Neath Port Talbot CVS’s Building Safe and Resilient Communities (BSRC) team. If you have an idea for a project please contact the team who will be able to help you formulate and plan your ideas. We are keen to support smaller organisations and the panel will take into consideration will consider your income when making a decision. It is important to us that you involve your community in the design, development and planning of your project. We feel your project will be more successful as a result. 6. Eligible activities – We will fund Capital and Revenue costs, including salaries. Examples of projects and activities that could be funded include; - Projects that bring people together and build relationships in and across communities - Community based projects that promote physical and/or mental health and wellbeing - Combating loneliness and social isolation in our communities especially, but not limited to, older people - Community based initiatives for people who are in need of special care, support, or protection because of age, disability, or risk of abuse or neglect - Support for parents, children and young people - New community events/one off events that promote community cohesion - Art & cultural initiatives with a social/community impact - Transport to link local people with local services and activities - Environment – connecting people with the environment, community gardens, nature, conservation, countering the effects of damaging environmental behaviours 2 BSRC I&CDFund 10.10.19 .