[WiLT] RBS Innovate - 2007/2008 (apply by 3rd Sept)

[WiL Admin]

RBS Innovate - 2007/2008 (apply by 3rd Sept)

RBS and Transact are pleased to announce the criteria for the 2007/8
RBS Innovate Fund. RBS Innovate is committed to giving organisations
the time and space to test out new approaches and activities which
will extend knowledge of what works in helping people move towards
financial inclusion; and in doing so build up a stock of transferable
new ideas for use by other organisations across the UK.

RBS Innovate totals £100,000 and is allocated on a yearly basis based
on criteria which seek to support organisations' existing work as well
as to encourage partnerships and networking. This year they aim to
encourage innovation in tackling financial exclusion amongst social
housing tenants, and those experiencing homelessness.

Applications are now being taken for projects which should start by
January 2008. All awards will go to projects which fulfil this year's
criteria. The findings of the projects will be shared via Transact so
that everyone can share in the learnings from best practice or learn
from the brave failures.

Successful applications for this round of funding will encourage
innovation in tackling financial exclusion amongst social housing
tenants, including those who are unable to maintain tenancies, and
those experiencing homelessness.

Any activity which promotes financial inclusion will be considered,
including but not limited to the following:
a.. Support services provision through direct provision, for instance
of advice, advocacy or other support by facilitating the provision of
such services;
a.. Providing access to financial products: by product development or
direct provision;
a.. by facilitating access to existing financial products and services
products.

Applicants need not necessarily be housing providers themselves, but
should form a partnership with at least one housing provider, or other
related service provider. Innovation could either come through the
development of new models, or through the application of existing
models within a new context.

The reason for the selection of the model to be used should be clearly
described. Clear evidence of need and how the need will be tackled
should be included. Consideration will be given to both delivery and
research focused bids.

The deadline for completed applications is 3rd September, 2007.

Organisations who wish to apply for funding must be:
a.. Located in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland;
a.. Members of Transact (membership is free). Join them on the
website;
a.. Working in partnership with a housing provider, or housing
providers themselves;
a.. Able to demonstrate wider applicability and replicability of the
proposed project;
a.. Willing to provide training and information to other Transact
members about their organisation's speciality and experience in
financial inclusion work.

Transact expects to build a portfolio of 3-6 projects with awards
between £10,000 and £30,000. It will also consider awards which are
smaller or larger.

Transact, Toynbee Hall, 28 Commercial Street, London E1 6LS
Email: transact at toynbeehall.org.uk
Website: http://www.transact.org.uk/page.asp?section=000100010002

(item supplied by fit4funding)

Posted on WiLT blog at
http://www.freecharity.org.uk/~womeninlondon/?p=349