Covid Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme: Strategic Capital Grants

Overview

All projects should contribute to the outcomes identified in the Fermanagh & Omagh Community Plan for the district and the Council’s Corporate Plan, i.e.

• Our people are healthy and well – physically, mentally and emotionally
• Older people lead more independent, engaged and socially connected lives
• Our communities are inclusive, safe, resilient and empowered
• Our people have the best start in life with lifelong opportunities to fulfil their potential
• Our economy is thriving, expanding and outward looking
• Our outstanding and culturally rich environment is cherished, sustainably managed and appropriately accessible.

Background

The Strategic Capital Projects Grant Programme is aimed at meeting the needs of the district with a view to fulfilling the outcomes of the Fermanagh and Omagh 2030 Community Plan and Council’s Corporate Plan 2020-24. The funding will provide a mechanism for investing in rural/urban areas to promote wider recovery from the pandemic and is available to local community organisations with a project plan to enhance existing facilities or to meet an unmet local need.

Indicative actions that Council is seeking to address and could be supported are:

• Environmental improvements
• Conservations and upgrading of rural culture (natural and built)
• Walkways, play facilities and nature trails
• Signage and local heritage features
• Improving physical access to amenities or attractions
• Gateway projects, entrance features and signage

The Strategic Capital Projects Grant Programme will provide capital funding of between £100k up to £200k with organisations required to match fund from other sources to a minimum value of 10% of the grant awarded. Grants will support the regeneration and development of communities, with priority applied to those who have been ineligible and excluded from previous grant schemes over the preceding three years.

The grant programme is a competitive fund and awards will be determined on the basis of merit. Groups must demonstrate their commitment to promoting social inclusion, equality of opportunity and good relations in accordance with Section 75. Groups will be required through the Application Process to demonstrate the need for financial assistance with the Council undertaking review of project promoter’s financial status to ensure proper and efficient use of public funding.

Funding Approach

Council will receive application forms for;

• Grants of between £100,000 and £200,000 with a maximum 90% intervention of total project costs.

A completed application form will be required from all applicant groups in order to determine eligibility and to enable proposals to proceed to a Letter of Offer for Technical Assistance.

Satisfactory completion of Technical Assistance will be required by 30 September 2022, with applicants required to submit project business plan, further details of match funding sources, ownership, statutory approvals (if applicable), procurement and any other relevant supporting documentation, Projects will then be issued with a Stage 2 Letter of Offer to commence Strategic Capital Grant Scheme.

(It is anticipated that there will be no more than 8 grants awarded)

Stage 1: Application Form

• Application Form will only be considered from Community projects geographically located within the Fermanagh & Omagh District Council area.
• Application Forms must be submitted from properly constituted not for profit groups.
• Proposed projects should add value to existing provision or opportunity, for example, identify and meet a currently unmet demand or provide additional services. Provision should not duplicate or cause displacement.
• The project must have an eligible total capital spend of a minimum of £100,000 inclusive of professional fees and technical assistance. The maximum grant available is £200k.
• Application Forms will only be considered from projects that can demonstrate a synergy with the Fermanagh & Omagh Community Plan and the Fermanagh & Omagh District Council Corporate Plan which can be accessed via the Council website at www.fermanaghomagh.com
• Provision of evidence that the project has the support of the local community (e.g. village action plans and letters of support).
• Demonstrates that the project will be able to complete by March 2024.
• Provides evidence that there are no issues with ownership of the land/building where the proposed project will be sited/located and that all statutory approvals are either in place or can be provided by project start date or completion of technical assistance.
• Groups must be able to provide an independent quotation validating project costs (i.e from a contractor).
• Groups will be required to demonstrate the effectiveness and impact of their grant and how it will generate positive and measurable outputs and outcomes for the local community.
• Groups will be required to adhere to formal project monitoring during and post project in order to ensure progress in keeping with key timescales and capture of outputs and outcomes.
• It is anticipated that projects will be equitably located across the seven District Electoral Areas (DEAs) and this will be considered as part of the assessment process.

Further information can be found in the Guidance Notes.