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SCOTTISH RURAL PARTNERSHIP FUND
Rural Challenge Fund
Application Form and Guidance 2003-2004

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Please read the Scottish Rural Partnership Fund Information Note in conjunction with this guidance.

Definition of terms

• RCF means the Rural Challenge Fund element of the Scottish Rural Partnership Fund

• Application means the application for grant under the RCF made by the applicant in respect of the project

• Department means the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department

• Financial Year means each or any year from 1 April to 31 March of the subsequent year for which funding is requested by the applicant from the 2003-2004 funding round

• Grant means the grant requested by the applicant under the RCF

• Project means the project which the applicant seeks to fund through the RCF

Please note that the Rural Challenge Fund application form is available on the Scottish Executive's website athttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/about/ERAD/LURP2/00014615/page2018390308.aspxand applications can be submitted electronically.

Please return application forms by 25 October 2002 to:

Brenda Little, Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department, Room 133, Pentland House, 47 Robb's Loan, EDINBURGH EH14 1TY
Alternatively, email to:srpf@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

GUIDANCE NOTES FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE RCF APPLICATION FORM

Applicants should insert the name and contact details for the project; the local authority area and Scottish Parliament Constituency (if the project covers more than one area, please list all relevant local authority areas and constituencies); note any previous applications to the fund; and provide a summary of the project. Please note that this summary will be used during the assessment process to obtain views from local and Scottish Executive interests about your project. It is, therefore, in your interests to make it as clear and concise as possible, and to include reference to your target group and key aims and objectives.

Applicants should provide details of the lead organisation in the project, and key partners, who have indicated that they will provide funding, or other support to the project.

All applicants should complete this section. Guidance on organisational structures is provided at Annex A of the SRPF Information Note.

Applicants should demonstrate how they will meet the objectives and criteria for the RCF, which are set out in the SRPF Information Note. Projects providing services for older people should be able to demonstrate that older people form the major client group of the project and have been consulted/involved in developing the project.

Applicants should demonstrate that the local community is involved in/supports the project. This should include details of community involvement in developing the project, the range of community interests that were consulted (applicants should particularly consider the needs of those who may be disadvantaged and of equality groups), how they were consulted and a summary of their response.

If funding for staff (including costs for training, travel and subsistence and conference fees) is sought, applicants should give a summary of staff needs, including the use of voluntary staff.

If applicable, applicants should detail the environmental impacts of the project.

Applicants should specify the target area of the project, describing its economic, social and environmental characteristics, and the key challenges faced. If the project is aimed at a specific group or groups within the community, details of why they are being targeted should be given. Applicants should also demonstrate that the work of the project is additional to what is already happening in the area (i.e. that it is not already being taken forward by another group within the area or is not the statutory duty of a local agency) and should demonstrate a knowledge of other organisations or agencies that provide related services within the target area. Objectives and targets should be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable Relevant and Time-related). An example is provided in the application form. This will enable us to gain an idea of the impact of the project on the local area and target group(s).

RCF funding is public money and, as such, we have a duty to ensure that we achieve value for money, and that the use of funds is appropriate. Applicants must provide financial information to enable us to assess whether the project represents value for money and is financially sustainable over the funding period. Where applicable, applicants should demonstrate that services created by their projects are likely to continue using other funding sources after the expiry of RCF grant.

Table 1 requests details of match funding. Applicants should indicate which source the funding is coming from, as specified. Evidence of match funding secured or conditionally awarded should be included with the completed application form.

Table 2 requests details on the proportion of funding sought from funders. This will enable us to verify that the RCF contribution requested conforms to the rules of the scheme.

Table 3 asks applicants to detail how they will spend RCF funding. It is likely that most applicants will not be spending in all of the categories set out in the table. Please note that, while the RCF will fund major capital costs, such as building works, it cannot be used to fund refurbishment or replacement costs for village halls or community facilities, which are eligible to apply for grant from the Local Capital Grants Scheme.

Applicants should include details of the proposed procedures for monitoring the project. If the most important activities relating to the plan are not completed on time/budget there is a risk to the successful completion of the project. Ongoing monitoring will highlight any planning or operational adjustments that need to be made to fulfil objectives. A final evaluation of performance towards the end of the funding period may also prove useful for securing ongoing funding once the initial RCF funding has expired.

It is important that we are able to assess the potential for the sustainability of the project beyond the RCF funding period. Applicants must outline an exit strategy for disengaging from RCF support following the end of the funding period. This should tie in closely with any final evaluation and might include planning for closure of activities which have fulfilled their aim; identifying whether continued revenue funding will be required to continue the project; and proposals for securing continuing funding. For capital projects, the exit strategy should cover how the capital item will be maintained in the long term. For example, if we are providing a community bus, the exit strategy should set out how the ongoing running costs will be met.

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