Connecting East Lancashire (CEL), in partnership with Community Rail Lancashire (CRL), have set up a one-off funding stream in order to support local community projects along the East Lancashire and Clitheroe lines. This funding has been provided by Connecting East Lancashire through the Access Fund, a sustainable travel initiative.
We would like to directly fund local organisations and community groups who need support with small projects, and in this way develop positive, new relationships with the communities. The main criteria are groups and organisations can demonstrate how the funding will help encourage people to use their local train stations. The group will also need to state what the money will be used for and how this benefits the local community. The projects will need to be delivered by 31st July 2022.
How much funding is there?
The total funding is £16,000 and each organisation/community group can apply for a maximum of £2,000 each. This means we can support many organisations.
Who is eligible?
Any community organisation, Friends of Stations, charity, CIC or group that has a bank account and is based within Hyndburn, Rossendale, Burnley, Pendle, Ribble Valley or Blackburn with Darwen can apply. Individuals, businesses and statutory bodies cannot apply, and neither can national charities. Religious organisations can apply as long as the funding is not used to promote a particular faith or belief system. Applicants do not have to be registered charities, but they must be a constituted group with a bank account.
How can the funding be used?
The funding criteria is deliberately non-specific so that a wide range of activities can be considered. As long as the group can demonstrate the impact on the community and how the funding will help promote sustainable travel, access or wayfinding to and from local train stations.
The funding can be used to deliver projects like youth work, mental health services, art projects, support for the elderly, BAME projects, LGBTQ+ groups, education, disability support, local empowerment, for example. The funding cannot be used for running costs including staff, bills, rent or maintenance.
How will the applications be assessed?
Since there is a finite amount of money, applications will be assessed using a scoring system after the deadline, and if there are more suitable applications than funding available then applications with the higher scores will be prioritised. Organisations should not apply for more than is needed so that the funds can be made available for as many groups as possible. A properly costed application will increase the likelihood of success.
Timescales
+ 31st January 2022 – Deadline for applications
+ February 2022 – Application assessments
+ 31st July 2022 – Projects end date
+ 15th August 2022 – Feedback, evaluation & evidence provided
Match Funding
Match funding is not a requirement of the application and organisations will be able to combine the awarded funding with other funding in order to deliver a project or achieve an outcome.
What sort of monitoring is needed?
If you are successful in getting funding, a few monitoring requirements will be requested. For example, you will need to provide evidence of spend and be able to describe the impact of the funding including numbers of people impacted and any feedback you’ve received.
Publicity
CEL and CRL will want to publicise the positive impact of the fund on various media platforms for example, social media, press and websites. Photos will be welcomed as long as you have gained permission from any individuals in them and, by you providing any photographs, we will assume permissions have been granted. Case studies are encouraged as part of this project. If there are legitimate reasons not to publicise the use of the funding, the reasons should be clearly stated in the ‘Additional Comments’ section of the application form.
Where do I send the application?
Applications can be sent to AccessFund@lancashire.gov.uk with ‘CEL/CRL funding application’ in the subject line. We will acknowledge receipt within two working days of submission and notify you of the outcome in March 2022.
You can download a copy of the application form here: CEL fund application form
If you have any further questions, please direct these to AccessFund@lancashire.gov.uk