Inspired Facilities - A guide to how to apply
What will the Programme do?
The programme will invest in refurbishment or improvement of existing facilities and opening up facilities for community sport. These are local projects developed and delivered predominantly by community and voluntary sector groups.
- Round 4: 11 March 2013 to 29 April 2013 - 5pm deadline
- Round 5: 21 October 2013 to 16 December 2013 - 5pm deadline
Who is eligible to apply?
Applications can be submitted by organisations entitled to receive public funding, voluntary or community organisations, local authorities, sports clubs, playing field associations and education establishments.
Good projects will demonstrate that the need for investment is community led, that it will have a positive impact on sport and is that it is sustainable. There is a requirement for applicants to demonstrate need for the project and community engagement and support behind their application.
Budget and timing
- There will be 5 funding rounds of £10m with one in 2011/12, two in 2012/13 & two 2013/14.
- Up to 70% of the funding has been set aside for community and voluntary sector projects and up to 30% for Local Authority projects.
- This is not a “dash for cash” - applicants must be able to make a good case for funding.
- There are 5 funding rounds over the next 3 years so our advice is to take your time before submitting your bid.
Outcomes
Given the importance of clubs to sport at community level, and the impact we believe we can make right across the country with this investment, we are proposing to make up to a thousand grants available of between £20,000 -150,000. A grant of £150,000 will be the exception rather than the norm and only available to Local Authority projects which can demonstrate a strategic rational to their application.
Innovative feature
To maximise the impact of the money we have, and to make applying for a grant as easy as possible, we have developed a “Catalogue” of many of the standard facility improvements clubs would like to make if they had funds available. The Catalogue has been developed based on market research and the views of local sports clubs, schools and local authorities.
The Catalogue provides a “one stop shop” approach and will help reduce bureaucracy and costs by making it easier to apply as well as reducing the time scales between receiving a grant and opening your project. You will be able to use the catalogue to work our realistic costs, calculate your budget and gather the information you need for your applications form.
For full details of the catalogue and the key eligibility criteria please call 08458 508508 or email funding@sportengland.org
