Funding opportunity (England only)
Less than one week left for applications of
less than £50,000
The
Community Learning Innovation Fund, a new £4million grants fund from the Skills Funding Agency, administered by NIACE, remains open for applications for less than £50,000
until 12 noon on Thursday 5th July 2012.
Organisations from across England can bid for their share of £4 million from the Community Learning Innovation Fund for projects to develop and offer
creative learning opportunities that engage and motivate, in particular, disadvantaged adults. Projects will be funded to run from September 2012 to 31 July 2013.
The maximum amount for any bid is £65,000 and the minimum is £10,000.
The Fund remains open for
applications for less than £50,000 until 12 noon on Thursday 5th July 2012.
Please note that the deadline for bids for £50,000 and over was 12 noon on Thursday 28th June 2012 and has now passed.
Bids for £50,000 and over will no longer be accepted.
The Community Learning Innovation Fund will contribute to the Government's objectives for community learning set out on page 14 of the recent policy
reform document from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), New Challenges, New Chances: Further Education and Skills Reform Plan: Building a World Class System (December 2011).
The Community Learning Innovation Fund can support a wide range of projects and activities in England - though all of them should deliver learning to adults. It will fund projects involving the
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development of creative community learning provision that:
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widens participation in learning and transforms people's destinies;
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promotes social renewal and develops stronger communities;
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maximises the impact of community learning on individuals, families and communities;
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is underpinned by effective strategies to sustain the work and its impact; and/or
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aligns with the work of emerging Community Learning Trusts, a distinct but complementary initiative recently announced by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Key themes of the Community Learning Innovation Fund
Projects should focus on one of the following themes:
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Learning for social and economic well being
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Learning for community
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Learning for families
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Learning for digital inclusion
What sorts of projects can be funded?
The Community Learning Innovation Fund can support a wide range of projects and activities.
However, all proposals must:
involve the delivery of learning to adults;
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have as principal beneficiaries adults aged 19 and over;
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focus on one of the key themes above (although some projects may also contribute to other themes);
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widen participation in learning and transform people's destinies by supporting engagement, learning and progression in the broadest sense for adults, especially those who are most
disadvantaged and least likely to participate in learning;
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identify the difference it is hoped to make for individuals, families and communities and how this will be measured and evaluated;
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include proposals for community / learner consultation and involvement in decision making;
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include strategies and pedagogies appropriate to the target group;
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include arrangements for providing information, advice and guidance to support progression appropriate to the target group;
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involve partnership working;
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include clear proposals as to how successful elements of the work will be sustained after CLIF funding comes to an end; and
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be cost effective and offer clear value for money.
Who can apply?
The Community Learning Innovation Fund is open to learning providers in England regardless of whether or not they currently receive funding for community learning directly from the Skills Funding Agency.
Bids are welcomed from public, private and third sector organisations from all backgrounds including culture, heritage, sport, health, community regeneration, environment, arts and crafts, broadcasting and technology.
How to apply
Applications can be made
online only. The deadline has closed for applications for £50,000 or more.
Applications for less than £50,000 should be received by 12 noon, Thursday 5 July 2012.
You can find out more information on the webpage, where a full Prospectus is available for download, along with
Frequently Asked Questions which should answer most of your queries.
If you have any questions about the Fund please check online first. If you cannot find the answer to your query, please email
[log in to unmask]. Your question will
be dealt with within three working daysas soon as possible. We cannot enter into any correspondence once the closing date for applications has passed.
When can projects start?
Successful projects will be informed on Thursday 16 August 2012 and Funding Agreements will be issued as soon as possible thereafter. If you are successful you can start your project as soon as you have signed and returned your Funding Agreement and by 10
September 2012 at the latest. All projects receiving funding must have completed activity by 31 July 2013.
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