Faroe - Shetland Cultural Projects

Shetland Islands Council

Faroe - Shetland Cultural Projects Grant Aid Scheme

GUIDELINES

1. INTRODUCTION

This grant aid scheme has been established to support individuals and voluntary organisations to develop and deliver projects that involve and promote links between the Faroe Islands and Shetland Islands.

In November 2003, Shetland Islands Council and the Faroese Government entered into a formal Cultural Agreement to support "projects of mutual interest to the Faroe Islands and Shetland, initiated by community organisations and individuals, such as sports co-operation; the arts; archaeological and historical themes; and cultural co-operation, focusing on the Nordic origin of both countries."   All projects must take place in Shetland or Faroe must provide opportunities and activities that jointly benefit the people of both Island communities.

2. WHAT OUR ARE GRANTS FOR

Faroe - Shetland Cultural Project grant scheme aims to support projects and activities that:-

  • Encourage participation in community life in Shetland and/or Faroe, in particular focusing on developing cultural links
  • Ensure projects of mutual benefit to Faroe and Shetland
  • Promote individual and community achievement between both island communities.

3. WE EXPECT ALL FUNDED APPLICATIONS TO DEMONSTRATE THAT:

  • it meets a mutual need between both islands
  • it develops cultural links between Faroe and Shetland  
  • it represents value for money
  • it is well planned
  • there are long term benefits between Faroe and Shetland  
  • it makes a difference to both island communities
  • the project expenditure can be accounted for

4. WHO CAN APPLY?

Your group can apply for a Faroe - Shetland Cultural Project grant if :-

  • you are based in Shetland
  • you are a non-profit making group
  • have an open constitution or set of rules which clearly define the group's aims, objectives and procedures
  • you have a bank or building society account in the name of your group which require at least 2 signatures on each cheque or withdrawal
  • you can enclose your most recent annual accounts which have been certified as true by a person independent of the group
  • you spend the grant within a year

or if you are an individual living in Faroe or Shetland (see section 7 for more information)

5.NEW GROUPS

We welcome applications from new groups.   If you are a new group, your committee should draw up and adopt a constitution or set of rules before you apply.   We realise that new groups do not have a set of accounts for the last year.  

Instead we need an estimate of your income and expenditure for your first year and an office bearer from your group must sign this.

6. CONSTITUTIONS

A Constitution should include:-

  • an organisation's name, aims and objectives
  • details of how it achieves those objectives
  • details of how its committee is elected or appointed
  • details of how people can join the group
  • details of what will happen to the assets of the organisation if it closes
  • the date when the constitution was adopted and signed on behalf of the group

If you need help drawing up a constitution or changing your existing constitution, Community Development staff can assist with this. See contact details on page 6.

7. ARE YOU A LOCAL BRANCH OF A NATIONAL ORGANISATION?

You may apply if you are an independent branch of a national/umbrella organisation and have your own bank account, constitution, and management committee and have control over your own income and how you spend it.

8. CAN INDIVIDUALS APPLY FOR GRANT ASSISTANCE?

Individuals can apply for grant assistance under this scheme.   In order to be eligible applicants must be able to:

  • provide evidence of residency in Shetland  
  • provide proof of identification
  • have a bank or building society account in your name

Grant applications from individuals will be expected to justify the need for the project and to provide contact details for partner group(s) and/or individual(s) in Faroe.   Applications may require written confirmation from the participating Faroese group(s) and/or individual(s) to verify the project.   The Council may also wish to validate the project directly from its Faroese partners.

9. WHO CANNOT APPLY?

  • Public bodies
  • Council created Trusts in receipt of Shetland Charitable Trust funding
  • Companies which aim to make a profit
  • School groups and school projects
  • Organisations and/or Individuals dwelling or based out with Shetland and/or Faroe

10. HOW DO WE APPLY?/MAKING AN APPLICATION

It is a requirement of this scheme that all applications for grant assistance are submitted at least two full months prior to your project commencing.

Application forms will be sent out to you within two working days of requesting a form but you may also collect an application pack from your local Community office.  

You should contact Community Development staff at the earliest opportunity to discuss your group's project eligibility and to get assistance with completing the application form.

Application forms will be sent out to you within two working days of requesting a form but you may also collect an application pack from your local Community office.  

You should contact Community Development staff at the earliest opportunity to discuss your group's project eligibility and to get assistance with completing the application form.

11. WHAT CAN WE APPLY FOR?

We will consider funding projects such as: -

  • Training courses, coaching and learning opportunities
  • Events, activities, performances
  • Setting up a pilot project
  • Conference/seminar
  • Small construction projects less than £10,000
  • Specialist or professional fees (other than for Capital Projects)
  • Research costs
  • Feasibility studies (other than for Capital Projects)
  • Equipment and materials
  • Publicity
  • External Transport/accommodation and appropriate fees
  • Cultural exchanges
  • Environmental improvements
  • Health promoting projects

For events based in Shetland , the grant scheme will provide assistance towards the local costs of Hosting the event. Any assistance towards travel and accommodation for visitors from Faroe should be sought from the respective contact in the Faroese Government.

For events based in Faroe , the grant scheme will provide assistance for individuals based in Shetland towards the costs of travel to Faroe and their accommodation.   Please note that financial assistance to host events in Faroe should be sought from the respective contact in the Faorese Government.

We will not fund items such as:

  • General running costs that sustain current activity
  • Items that only benefit an individual e.g. prizes, personal clothing, strips and personal equipment
  • Loan or endowment payments
  • Second hand vehicles and second hand equipment (unless valued or certified by an independent/qualified assessor)
  • Projects/activities that have already taken place
  • Business or commercial ventures
  • Meals and subsistence costs
  • Construction projects with a total cost of more than £10,000
  • General entertainment costs e.g. cinema, theme parks etc.
  • Holidays

12. HOW MUCH CAN WE APPLY FOR?

Under the Development Grant Aid Scheme there are two categories of grant assistance, which are as follows:

  • Junior groups (under 18s) and groups working with additional support needs participants
  • Adult groups

The Faroe - Shetland Cultural Projects scheme has two levels of grant assistance, which are as follows:

  • Junior individuals (under 18s) and individuals with additional support needs
  • Adult individuals

 

Under 18 clubs/groups can apply for up to 75% of eligible costs up to a maximum of £1,000 in grants per Council financial year e.g. 1 st April to 31 st March.

Adult clubs/groups can apply for up to 50% of eligible costs up to a maximum of £1,000 in grants per Council financial year e.g. 1 st April to 31 st March.

Under 18/additional support needs individuals can apply for up to 75% of eligible costs up to a maximum of £1,000 in grants per Council financial year e.g. 1 st April to 31 st March.

Adult individuals can apply for up to 50% of eligible costs up to a maximum of £1,000 in grants per Council financial year e.g. 1 st April to 31 st March.

13. APPLICATION PROCESS

Once you have completed your grant application, attached all the necessary documents and worked through the checklist at the back of the application form, please send the completed application form for the attention of the Grants Officer, Ms Elsa Manson (see contact details in section 17).

  • On receipt of your application we will check if it is complete and ensure all the necessary information has been enclosed.
  • We will acknowledge receipt of your application within 5 working days or return your application if not complete, and will let you know what else you need to do.
  • Your completed application will be assessed and you will be informed of the decision in writing in no more than 6 weeks of receiving the completed application.  
  • Successful applications will be issued with a grant offer letter and acceptance docquet.
  • Once you/your group has accepted the terms and conditions of the grant and returned the acceptance letter the grant will be paid in full directly into your group's bank account.
  • You must comply with grant conditions and use the grant only for the purpose set out in your application form.
  • You will be required to complete a project evaluation form and submit all relevant project expenditure within 12 months of the grant offer.

14. IF YOUR GRANT APPLICATION IS UNSUCCESSFUL

We will tell you the main reasons why in a letter within 6 weeks of receiving the completed application.   You may also find it useful to contact your local Community Learning and Development Officer (CLADO) or Sports Development Officer, as appropriate, for advice and further assistance.   Following receipt of the explanation you may wish you to revise your application and resubmit it, or appeal the original decision.  

15. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

  • No application forms can be considered for expenditure already incurred, except with the prior agreement of the Head of Community Development.
  • All grants are at the discretion of Shetland Islands Council and subject to the availability of finance.
  • Any grant assistance not spent within one year must be repaid to Shetland Islands Council unless the Head of Community Development, or their nominee, has agreed otherwise.
  • In the event that your project is underspent your group may be required to repay part of the grant assistance back to Shetland Islands Council.   If this happens you will be contacted in writing and asked to repay the identified underspend.
  • Your group's contact details must be included in the Council's online Community Directory (www.shetland.gov.uk/communitydirectory ) and you will be responsible for making any changes to the details as necessary.   If you have not joined the Community Directory contact your Community Office for assistance.   This does not apply in individuals seeking funding from this scheme.
  • It should be noted that any information received in a grant application can be checked with the Council's corresponding grant contact in Faroe and validation of the project will be at the discretion of the Head of Community Development, or their nominee

16. OTHER POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDING

Below are a number of other funding sources that may be appropriate when planning your project and applying for funding.   For more information please contact your local Community Office.

Shetland Islands Council   Scottish Executive

Scottish Arts Council  Shetland Enterprise

Heritage Lottery Fund   Lloyds TSB

Big Lottery Fund   Children In Need

sport scotland   Shetland Arts Trust

Shetland Amenity Trust  Community Council

17. SERVICE PLEDGES

In order to improve service delivery of the various Community Development Service grant aid schemes available, we have introduced the following service pledges:

  • The Community Development Service will provide accurate information about their grant aid schemes and application procedures.
  • All grant application forms requested will be sent out within 2 working days .
  • All grant application forms received will be acknowledged within 5 working days .
  • All applicants receive a decision on completed grant application forms within 6 weeks .
  • All applicants who have had grant applications rejected will receive a written explanation of why it was unsuccessful.

All applicants who have had a rejected grant application advised in writing have the right to appeal against the decision.

18. CONTACT DETAILS

The following officers of the Community Development Service are all available to give advice and guidance with your grant application and project planning and should be consulted at the earliest opportunity before completing a grant application .

When your application has been fully completed the form and all relevant attached, your application should be returned to Ms Elsa Manson at the address below .  

Mr Bob Kerr Ms Elsa Manson
Sports Development Officer Grants Officer
C/o Hayfield House C/o Hayfield House
Hayfield Lane Hayfield Lane
Lerwick Lerwick
ZE1 0QD ZE1 0QD
Tel (01595) 744045 Tel (01595) 744048
   
Mrs June Porter (CLADO) Ms Julie Christie (CLADO)
Lerwick and Bressay Community Office North Isles Community Office
C/o Hayfield House C/o Mid Yell Leisure Centre
Hayfield Lane Yell
Lerwick Shetland
ZE1 0QD ZE2 9BN
Tel (01595) 744006 Tel (01957) 702040
   
Ms Maureen Stewart (CLADO) Mrs Silvija Crook (CLADO)
North Mainland Community Office South Mainland Community Office
C/o 4 Havragord C/o Sandwick Junior High School
Brae Sandwick
Shetland Shetland
ZE2 9SZ ZE2 9HH
Tel (01806) 522417 Tel (01950) 431439
   
Mr Bill Crook (CLADO) Ms Sylvia Jamieson (CLADO)
Central, Whalsay & Skerries Community Office West Mainland Community Office
C/o Scalloway Public Hall C/o Scalloway Public Hall
Scalloway Scalloway
Shetland Shetland
ZE1 OUJ ZE1 0UJ
Tel (01595) 880440 Tel (01595) 880440