[WiLT] Communities and Local Government Third Sector Strategic Partners Scheme

[WiL Admin]

Communities and Local Government Third Sector Strategic Partners
Scheme

Funding Area: England
Next Application Deadline: 20/09/2007

The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) aims to
establish strategic partnering relationships with organisations that
pursue objectives which are in line with their priorities and who
operate at a national level in supporting local action. CLG is
inviting Expressions of Interest from suitable third sector
organisations and partnerships to be considered for strategic partner
status and funding.

CLG has three core objectives for the Third Sector Strategic Partners
Scheme:
* to provide a coherent and rational framework for engaging with third
sector organisations at a national level on a consistent basis;
* to add value to the work of the Department and the third sector, and
to realise objectives in a way that neither could have on their own;
and
* where appropriate, to create a mechanism for the Department to
consistently provide stable, secure and fair funding to third sector
organisations.

These objectives are outlined in more detail in the Third Sector
Strategy for Communities and Local Government: Discussion Paper (June
2007), which can be downloaded at via the links at the bottom of this
page.

Applications for strategic partners will not be accepted, where:
* work would be undertaken for beneficiaries outside of England;
* the primary work would be promotion of religious activity;
* there is no benefit to local areas;
* there is a risk that we would be subsidising services or activities
in such a way that would distort or threaten open competition in line
with current European Commission rules on State Aid;
* organisations are not properly constituted bodies or that exist for
private gain;
* organisations whose principal activities are the concern of another
Government department or funding body;
* organisations with purposes that include support of a political
party or political campaigning;
* the scope of the organisation is solely local or regional;
* the organisations' finances are uncertain.

All applications will be assessed against the criteria outlined below.
You should use the following criteria to establish whether or not to
complete an Expression of Interest.

The criteria is divided into three categories (i, ii and iii) and
awarded a marking of A, B or C. Organisations achieving a minimum of
2As and 1B will be invited to make full applications. Those achieving
Bs may still be considered. Organisations achieving one or more C's
will be excluded.

i) Share and contribute to our vision of prosperous and cohesive
communities, offering a safe, healthy and sustainable environment for
all.

A. Mission statement is fully aligned with the Departmental vision
B. Makes links to two or three aspects of the vision
C. Does not link to the Departmental vision

ii) Make a strategic and local contribution to our Department's
objectives, whether focusing on one or delivering across many.

The Department's areas of interest include:
* promoting equality of opportunity for individuals and groups;
* creating thriving and cohesive communities where people want to
live;
* reducing disparities, tackling neighbourhood deprivation and
improving the economic and environmental performance of our cities and
regions;
* ensuring that there is a supply of housing that is more responsive
to the needs of individuals, communities and the economy, of an
improved quality and better environmental performance;
* supporting local governance that empowers individuals and
communities.

A. The organisation's objectives cover more than two of the Department
's areas of interest.
B. The organisation's objectives cover's one or two of the Department'
s areas of interest.
C. The organisation's objectives are not in line with the Department's
areas of interest.

iii) Operate strategically at the national level and through its
members, networks or in consortia delivers on our objectives through
local groups.

A. Shows strong national coverage and local reach.
B. The national coverage of the organisation is good but has limited
local reach; or the organisation demonstrates weak national coverage
but has some regional coverage with good local reach.
C. The organisation demonstrates that it has no national or regional
coverage, only local reach.

Please note: applicants must be prepared to work with other
organisations in a Compact compliant way. However, this will not be
assessed at the Expression of Interest stage.


Application Procedure:

(1) Expressions of Interest

Applicants should read the criteria carefully (see 'Key Criteria'),
consider whether they meet the criteria, and then complete the
Expressions of Interest form by 5pm on Thursday 20th September.
Expressions of Interest received after this deadline cannot be
accepted.

Applications can be submitted in one of three ways:
* by post: download the application form at the bottom of this page
and post to the address shown under 'Contact Information';
* by email: download the application form at the bottom of this page
and email it to strategicpartners at communities.gsi.gov.uk;
* through this website: access the online application form by
following the links below (note: you must be registered and logged in
to access the form).

Please note: do not send any other additional documentation as this
will not be assessed. In addition, all requests for a maximum number
of words must be adhered to.

If you have any queries email strategicpartners at communities.gsi.gov.uk
or call 020 7944 8756.

(2) Next Steps

Expressions of interest will be assessed against the criteria and
short listed applications will then be invited for strategic partner
status. Only organisations that have registered their interest in
becoming strategic partners, and have been shortlisted, will be
considered for funding, which will be subject to the outcome of the
Comprehensive Spending Review 2007.

Further detail on applications for funding will be available in
Autumn. However, there is likely to be a tight window for applications
for funding.

Contact Information:
Community and Renewal Programmes Team
Communities and Local Government
Zone 1/F2
Ashdown House
123 Victoria Street
London
SW1E 6DE
Phone: 020 7944 8756
Email: strategicpartners at communities.gsi.gov.uk
Web: http://www.communities.gov.uk

The following documents and other links:
* Appendix - DCLG Third Sector Strategy for Communities and Local
Government: Discussion Paper (June 2007)
* Application Form - DCLG Strategic Partners: Expressions of Interest
Application Form
* Guidance - DCLG Strategic Partners: Guidance Notes
Useful Links - http://www.communities.gov.uk

Can be found at
http://www.governmentfunding.org.uk/VCSSearch.aspx?WCI=htmSchemeView&WCU=DSCODE=DSCLIVEGF,SCHEMEID=12-S106,SEARCH=DS=DSCLIVEGF

Posted on WiLT blog at
http://www.freecharity.org.uk/~womeninlondon/?p=344