Community Panel
Our new resident-led Community Panel brings together people of all ages, backgrounds, and life experiences from across Islington to make funding decisions.
What is a residents’ panel?
Through our residents’ panels, Islington Giving aims to:
- Diversify decision-making by learning from, and listening to, people who live in the borough.
- Challenge our own perceptions and ways of doing things.
- Share power and be more accountable and transparent to the local communities in which we work.
- Open a platform for local residents to create opportunities for themselves and for their borough.
“It has fed me immensely. I feel expanded, better skilled. It’s ignited my desire to learn more. It’s been a privilege.” (A 2021 Family Panel member)
Is your local project working to create positive change in Islington? The Islington Giving Community Panel, made up of residents of diverse ages, backgrounds and life experiences, has launched a new funding call for local groups and organisations. The panel seek to fund projects which support people to learn skills, provide a community environment, and are accessible and inclusive. The deadline for applications is Wednesday 9th October 2024.
The Funding Call
We are a group of 13 Islington residents aged 18 to 80+ who have come together to discuss what is important to local people and to develop this call, to invite local organisations to apply for funding to address some of the things we think are most important.
We want to invite applications from projects that do ALL of the following:
- Support local people to learn skills. This can be for example, skills around employment, financial independence, digital inclusion or skills for improved mental and physical health.
- Provide a community environment. A place where people can meet and connect with others to combat isolation.
- Provide an accessible and welcoming atmosphere. A project where people can fully take part regardless of disability or background.
The project can be tailored to a particular group of residents (for example young people, parents with children, older people, people from a particular background) but the project must demonstrate how it is accessible for people who may otherwise face exclusion (for example, people with disabilities).
Essential Criteria:
In addition to meeting the above priorities, projects MUST:
- be delivered in Islington with the majority of beneficiaries Islington residents
- be inclusive
- be accessible for people with disabilities
- have robust safeguarding policies and procedures in place
- be well publicised
Desirable Criteria:
In addition, we will prioritise projects that:
- provide food to participants
- cover expenses such as care/travel costs if people would not otherwise be able to attend (include a budget line for this in your project proposal)
- involve residents/service users in the design and delivery of the project
- are from organisations already operating in Islington that can offer longer-term sustained benefits beyond the funded project
- benefit people across generations
This is a summarised version of the funding call. Please read the full version via one of the following links.
How to apply
Complete an online application form. If you need help completing this form, please contact the Programme Manager, laura.guy@cripplegate.org.uk.
Your application will be read by people from a range of backgrounds who may not be familiar with your group or service. Please avoid using jargon, acronyms or sector-specific language.
Timeline
- Application forms should be submitted by 11:59pm on Wednesday 9th October 2024.
- Shortlisted applicants may be invited for a further assessment meeting or receive requests for further information between 9th October – 12th November.
- Applicants will be informed of decisions to award grants by Friday 29th November 2024.
The total budget for this funding call is £150,000. We hope to fund projects of different scope and scale and welcome applications for smaller projects. Funding can be for one year or multiyear (up to a maximum of three years) but the maximum grant – whether for one or more years – is likely to be around £25,000. For example, if over 2 years the maximum grant would be up to £12,500 per year.
Please be aware that we consistently receive far more applications than we can fund. On this occasion we have up to £150,000 available, which means that we will be able to fund 6-9 projects. Please only apply if you are confident that your application meets all the essential criteria and priorities of this fund. If you are unsure, please contact laura.guy@cripplegate.org.uk.
