Commissioning Process

Below is a brief summary outlining the commissioning process. A more detailed outline can be found in the Coventry NDC Commissioning Process

The Commissioning Process
The process is designed to remove much of the uncertainty and lack of clarity associated with some competitive funding programmes. It is also designed to speed up the process for delivering the NDC Programme.

The Commissioning Prospectus
The Prospectus consists of documents that explain what Coventry NDC wishes to fund and how much is available for the delivery of new work within the current Delivery Plan. The Prospectus contains specifications based around the Programme themes explaining what is required from potential delivery organisations. The specifications will also indicate the period for which NDC funding would be available. The Prospectus provides more detailed information on what criteria proposals will be appraised against including the desired outcomes and outputs sought by NDC.

Proposal Submission Process
For organisations interested in delivering or being involved in providing commissioned services on behalf of Coventry NDC there are 4 stages to follow:

Stage 1	Preparation
Stage 2	Expression of Interest/Proposal Development and Submission
Stage 3	Assessment & Appraisal
Stage 4	Contracting & delivery

Characteristics of Proposals Likely to Be Considered for Funding.
Preference will be given to proposals that have a combination of some or all of the characteristics below:

• Plausible and based on evidence of what has worked elsewhere;
• Innovative – pioneering into new areas of work or new types of delivery where there is none or limited funding currently committed;
• Be multi-agency, bringing together different community and voluntary organisations and cutting across traditional professional and sector boundaries to target underlying factors;
• Demonstrate a clear link between the project aims and the Coventry NDC high level outcomes;
• Have a measurable impact – so that the effect of specific interventions are clear at each stage of the activity;
• Demonstrate a clear community engagement;
• Use community groups and facilities within the design and delivery of the project;
• Empower NDC residents, involving them in both the design and delivery of the project;
• Use existing evidence to demonstrate that residents want the project;
• Be preventative wherever possible;
• Have a robust programme infrastructure including an accountable project steering group with clear roles and responsibilities, a Project Officer and Implementing Officer, and a designated project team with clear roles and responsibilities;
• Promote sustainability through the project, ensuring that the project or some of the activities will continue post NDC funding;
• Ensure that project champions both within the Coventry NDC area, city wide, will adopt good practice and lessons learnt from evaluation regionally and nationally.

Building a Legacy
Coventry NDC is about kick starting new initiatives and promoting innovative ways of working, as well as being about changing the way services are delivered in the long term.  Proposals must indicate how they envisage building a legacy and what things are being put in place to ensure that best practice generated will be continued beyond the lifetime of the project funding (September 2008).

CRF COMING TO AN END

NDC’S COMMUNITY RESOURCE FUND (CRF) HAS SPENT MORE THAN £250,000 ON HELPING LOCAL PEOPLE HOLD THEIR OWN EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES SINCE 2003 AND THIS YEAR IT’S COMING TO AN END!

Applications for the final two rounds need to be in by April and July so if you have an idea for something to improve your area, or that will make a difference to people’s lives please apply.

WHAT IS COMMUNITY RESOURCE FUNDING?

The Community Resource Fund is a pot of money that is available to support community groups and projects in the WEHM area. Grants can be from £100 - £2,000 and activities must be of benefit for local people.

Community and voluntary groups (of two or more people) can apply and will need to present in front of a panel as to how their grant would be used. To apply successfully, groups must have a bank or building society account in the name of the group or organisation and will need to apply at least two months before the planned event or activity.

WHAT CAN GRANTS BE USED FOR?

• An event at a local community centre to involve young people in learning and leisure activities
• Funding a community festival or sports day
• Printing community group letters, leaflets or posters
• Activities to promote your group such as producing a newsletter, hire of a hall, etc
• Local gardening competition
• Equipment for your group or association that will help it grow and develop
• Community training events
• Educational trips/visits
• Community resources such as toys, IT equipment, books
• Projects/activities that will benefit a certain group of people such as elderly people, ethnic groups, people who are unemployed

If you are unsure whether your group or organisation is able to apply please check with the Community Resource Fund Administrator, Ruth Popejoy on (024) 766 22964.

Click here to download an CRF Information Pack

Deadline for application form	CRF panel date (where organisations present their projects)	Project Development and Approval Group meeting date (where final decision will be made)	Projects for
9th April 2010	21st April 2010	10th May 2010	Summer
2nd July 2010	14th July 2010	2nd August 2010	Christmas or 2011

FUTURE FUNDING

Although CRF is coming to an end, there are still lots of other pots of money out there that can be accessed. For more details about other funding you can visit:

External Funding Help Desk
Regeneration services, First floor, West Orchard House, Corporation Street, Coventry
024 7683 1394

Voluntary Action Coventry
6th Floor, Coventry Point, Market Way CV1 1EA
024 7622 0381

Heart of England Community Foundation
Pinley House, 2 SunBeam Way, Coventry CV3 1ND
024 7688 4386

COVENTRY HELPS YOU FIND FUNDING!
There is a citywide funding fair at the Welcome Centre from 10.00am - 3.00pm. Everyone is welcome, and information on funding for groups and community activities will be available.