ESF Community Learning Grants – Panel Members urgently needed

WEA Independent Community Grant Appraisal Panels

ESF Community Learning Grants 2016-7: Liverpool City Region

Remit

1. The Community Grants Panels will be managed by the WEA Community Grants Project Organiser, and will meet and oversee a maximum of 2 grant rounds per year.
2. The panels will be made up of partner representatives as well as representatives of past successful projects and experienced local volunteers who will provide input reflecting local grassroots conditions and realities.
3. We will advertise in local communities for prospective panel members and provide application forms to complete and return; each prospective panel member will be contacted and informed if selected.
4. Training will be offered for all panel members to explain the grant appraisal criteria and give sample applications to assess and feed back on.
5. Clear protocols on managing any actual or perceived conflicts of interest will be in place for all panel members.
6. Reserve panel members will be selected to ensure panels are always quorate and to ensure any conflicts of interest can be effectively and transparently managed.

 Process

1. WEA and Project Steering Group partners all to put out call for panel members.
2. Applicants to complete a brief application form to return to WEA office.
3. WEA office will share applications with Project Steering Group, and if considered suitable, they will be accepted to go into a pool of panel members.
4. All applicants will be notified of outcome
5. Successful applicants will be invited to attend a training event and sign a confidentiality agreement, plus an undertaking to declare any real or potential conflicts of interest.
6. Panel members can reclaim agreed travel expenses and lunch will be provided.
7. WEA grants team staff will operate an ‘eligibility gateway’ process for applications received and refer back incomplete/ineligible forms (with brief feedback).
8. WEA grants team staff will then complete a cover sheet for panel stating eligibility and any concerns derived from supporting material (accounts, annual reports, policies etc.)
9. Application forms that make it through the gateway are then sent electronically with this cover sheet to at least two panel members to score against the agreed criteria.
10. Panel members read and score bids at home, then meet up to discuss outcome, recommend successful bids and suggest feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
11. Scores and feedback taken to Project Steering Group for ratification/approval.

The Time Commitment

In the last round each of the assessment panel had 10 applications to assess.  Most said they did this in 4 -5 hours.  We emailed the applications to the panel members with the scoring sheets and once completed they are emailed back to us.  We will send these out on the 6 Jan and the panel member would have to get them back to us by the 13 Jan.  We then have a panel meeting at the WEA office in Liverpool on the 17 Jan (booked from 10:00 -16:00) which we would like all the assessment panel to attend.  There  is usually a training meeting for new panel members but due to the shortage of time I will cover this with a short one –to – one meeting.  Other than completing a short enrolment form that’s the full commitment.

If you need more information please give Tom Youds the Project Organiser – ESF Community Grants a call on T: 0151 243 5356 | M: 07879 848289  or email Tom Youds <[email protected] > or have a look at the relevant site on the website.  http://nw.weanorthwest.webfactional.com/esf-community-grants/decision-making