What is Nexus?
Nexus is a small grants programme operating in the Rural Regeneration Zone that focuses on improving access to services and facilities for rural communities.
The scheme will run for three years until the end of March 2009 and is administered by Community First on behalf of the Rural Regeneration Zone. Applications can be made at any time of the year, but applicants will be encouraged to submit them to coincide with appraisal panels.
Who can apply?
It is expected that the aims of the programme will largely be achieved through the voluntary and community sector, giving local groups an opportunity to address their communities’ needs whilst encouraging capacity building within the organisation itself.
However, applications may also be made by the public sector, independent commercial retailers and service providers who are seeking to enhance services in the Rural Regeneration Zone.
How much funding is available?
Applicants will be able to apply for a capital / revenue grant of up to £5,000 from a total budget of £425,000.
Only one application per organisation is permitted each financial year, although unsuccessful applicants can re-apply at any time. Projects and expenditure must be completed within a 12 month period, and in the last year of funding by 31 March 2009.
25% match funding will need to be secured (or 50% if an independent business), although in-kind contributions will be permitted if they can be properly evidenced.
What type of project is eligible?
Projects will seek to implement solutions that address local service needs, have local support and suit local circumstances.
These are one-off grants that aim to address health, leisure, ICT, counseling and support or learning. We will fund the costs towards:
Applicants requesting funds towards work that will adapt a building to accommodate a new service will be asked to confirm planning permission requirements. Applicants will also be encouraged to think about low energy use.
What information is needed?
The Application Form explains clearly what is needed. It covers financial information – both about the proposed service and the estimated costs of the project.
The Application Form asks applicants to confirm that they:
Have carried out a local needs survey, or have taken into account the results of other local consultation documents
Have the support of the service provider
Are providing the necessary match funding.
Assessment and decision-making
An Assessment Panel meets regularly to approve applications.
The panel is an independent group of people who each have expertise and strategic knowledge at a local and regional level. Members will include representatives of the local strategic partnerships, the Rural Access to Services Partnerships and the Rural Regeneration Zone.
Mid Term Evaluation
The Nexus Scheme recently underwent a Mid Term Evaluation, conducted independently by RHCS Ltd
The key findings of the evaluation are…
That the scheme has received 235 expressions of interest in the 2 years since its launch at the 2006 Zone Conference. Of that, 77 have developed into applications of which 48 projects have been approved and over £220k committed to date. This will release an estimated £275k in match funding. Tasking outputs evidenced are quite low but it is anticipated that these will exceed that contracted with AWM by the end of the scheme. Secondary outputs include 19 new community groups, 1,661 people using facilities, 2,266 using services, 361 entering learning or volunteering and 4,762 people engaging in community leisure.
RHCS Ltd concluded by saying ‘the vast majority of projects with which we have been in contact have all said that they have found the application process to be straightforward [and that] good support has been available from the outreach workers with a good understanding shown of the realities of working in rural areas’.
The main issue highlighted is that there's money left for at least another 37 projects and that the Nexus Panel will be looking to target projects in mid west Shropshire, Corvedale, Clun Forest, Golden Valley and north west Herefordshire.
A full Copy of the report can be downloaded from the resource library
For more information contact:
Andrea Cooper
Nexus Project Assistant
T: 01684 312730
andreac@comfirst.org.uk
Click here to see examples of grants made by the Nexus Programme