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Gloucestershire Digital Innovation Fund

We are launching a new £200,000 Gloucestershire Digital Innovation Fund to provide grants to community groups and organisations that help adults live full and independent lives through the power of technology.

Technology has huge potential to change people’s lives. Some of the areas we’re particularly interested in are tackling social isolation or helping people maintain their independence – but we want to hear your ideas on how technology can help enhance people’s lives.

The fund launches officially on Tuesday 3 March 2020 and organisations can apply for funding of up to £20,000 per project. Funding can be used for technology-led initiatives, whether these are brand new or expanding on existing projects in the county.

  • Community or voluntary groups
  • Registered charities
  • Constituted not-for-profit organisations
  • Town and parish councils
  • Religious groups where the project will bring wider community benefit and that the primary purpose of the activity is not religious and is aligned with the objectives of the grant.
  • This fund can only be used for technology-led initiatives.
  • The fund can only be used in projects that support adults.
  • The fund will support both new projects and those that extend existing work.
  • We welcome collaborative and partnership bids.
  • You must have a bank or building society account in the name of your organisation or group.

The fund cannot be used for:

  • Support the mainstream activities of an organisation e.g. ongoing yearly spending commitments including salaries and administration costs.
  • The funding cannot be used to directly support specific individuals or individual families, i.e. it should be used for broader community benefit.
  • Fund capital projects e.g. buildings and refurbishments.

The expression of interest form will be uploaded here on Tuesday 3 March.

Grants will be awarded up to £20,000. The number of expressions of interest is not restricted but it is unlikely you will receive support for more than one than one project.

Deadline for expressions of interest: Friday 3 April 2020

Decision panels will meet during April 2020 with awards being agreed by the end of April/beginning of May.

How much money is available?

Up to £20,000 is available per project. The number of expressions of interest is not restricted but it is unlikely you will receive support for more than one project.

What type of projects can this fund be used for?

This fund is available for new and existing technology-led initiatives that support adults. We also welcome collaborative and partnership bids.

Why are you asking for expressions of interest and not applications?

We are asking for expressions of interest so that we can work with organisations to explore their innovative approaches and make sure they best suit the needs of the county before finalising the details of the projects. This will help to inform our future practice and investment.

When does the scheme start?

The scheme will be launched on Tuesday 3 March 2020.  Expressions of interest will be accepted from this date until Friday 3 April 2020.

Who can receive funding?

The scheme is aimed at not-for-profit organisations but they must be constituted and have a bank account held in the name of the organisation that is applying. Larger schemes will be asked to submit accounts and documentation to prove that the money has been spent appropriately. 

You are eligible to apply even if you have received a Thriving Communities grant.

Can this fund be used to support projects for children and young people?

No, this fund is solely aimed at 18+ projects.

How do organisations get an expression of interest form?

Organisations that attended one of the workshops will be emailed an expression of interest form on Tuesday 3 March 2020. The forms will also be available here to download from 3 March. 

What is the process to submit expression of interest forms?

If you do not receive an emailed copy of the expression of interest form you can download this here (from 3 March). All completed forms should be emailed to thrivingcommunities@gloucestershire.gov.uk

It is expected that all forms will be completed electronically.

How long will it take to process expressions of interest?

The deadline for all expressions of interest is Friday 3 April 2020. All expressions will be referred to our decision panel who will aim to have made a decision by the end of April/beginning of May. 

How long have organisations got to spend the money?

Once organisations have received funding the grant has to be spent within 12 months. There may be flexibility on this should the success of the project depend on a longer timescale.

Who will make the final decision about funding?

Projects will be considered by a countywide panel including a voluntary community sector representative, a social care assessor, lead commissioner, and the programme manager from from Gloucestershire County Council. 

 

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