Community Facilities Programme
The focus of the Programme is on increasing opportunity, creating prosperity for all and developing resilient communities where people are engaged and empowered. All applicants are expected to work with partners which can come from the public, private or the third sectors.
Priority will be given to applications from former Communities First cluster areas but applications from other areas will also be welcome and we expect to fund the best of these.
Who can apply
We are seeking applications which are community led. By this we mean that the lead applicant must usually be a community or voluntary sector organisation (see below for exception). For example a community group, a registered charity or a social enterprise. We are keen to encourage partnership working and therefore require applications which include public, private or third sector partners.
We will not accept applications from local authorities, town or community councils.
As a minimum requirement the main applicant/lead organisation must be able to show that they are an organisation which has:
A constitution or set of rules, dated and signed as adopted by the Chair, or other senior office holder on behalf of the Board or Trustees;
A bank account, in its own name, which requires at least two (unrelated) signatories;
Evidence to show that any profit distribution is minimal i.e. restricted to the return of capital invested with minimal interest. This policy should be detailed in your organisation’s constitution or rules;
Less than £150,000 in unrestricted reserves. Applicants with more than £150,000 in unrestricted reserves must also provide information on the organisation’s reserves policy. This should include whether any of these funds are being invested in the project and if not, the reason why not.
All applications for funding must be able to demonstrate that the lead organisation has the legal right to carry out the proposed works. This might be evidenced by proving that the organisation is the legal owner of the building to be refurbished or the land on which any extension or new building is to stand. If the land or building is mortgaged, applicants will also need to show that the lender consents to the proposed works.
If the lead organisation is not the owner of the land or building to be improved, then applications must include evidence of a long term lease (with at least 10 years to run) at an affordable rent. Applicants will also need the written consent of the landlord giving permission to carry out the proposed works.
Restrictions
We will not accept applications from the following types of organisations, although they can be partners in any project where the application is led by a community or voluntary sector organisation or social enterprise:
Local authorities;
Health boards;
Town and community councils;
Other public body; and
Private sector organisations and businesses.
The Community Facilities Programme will not cover the purchase of vehicles or the replacement of furniture or updating ICT equipment.
The scheme does not provide grants for Revenue costs including the costs associated with developing a business plan, feasibility study; a design only project; or the costs of staff and other operating costs.
The Community Facilities Programme will not consider retrospective applications i.e. where work has been started prior to funding being awarded.
Eligible Expenditure
The Community Facilities Programme is a capital only grant scheme. Grants are available for the physical improvement of community facilities; this could include land and buildings.
Capital means physical works, and professional fees directly related to the physical works (including non recoverable VAT).
The purchase of equipment is sometimes eligible, for example where a project includes the fitting out of a new facility such as a kitchen or IT suite.
All applications must be accompanied by the applicant’s latest annual accounts where these are available. We recognise that some newly formed organisations may not yet have this information.
How to apply
The Community Facilities Programme will operate on a rolling basis. This means there will be no bidding rounds. Applications can be submitted at any time.
Individual applications will progress as swiftly as possible, based on how quickly necessary information is received from applicants.
Organisations can submit more than one application but not more than three in any three year period. A maximum amount of £300,000 can be granted to a single organisation within a three year period.
To find out more on guidance, frequently asked questions and application forms: Community Facilities Programme | GOV.WALES