[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-desktop-hide=” av-medium-hide=” av-small-hide=” av-mini-hide=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=”]

Funding and Development – Information and Support

Welcome to the Invest in Renfrewshire Communities November newsletter, which is full to the brim with useful information, news and funding deadlines! Activities throughout November have included:

• Discussions with third sector groups to develop new project ideas.
• Delivery of the External Funding Workshop (11^th).  The workshops focus on National Lottery Community Fund’s Awards for All programme and Foundation Scotland’s Baillie Gifford Community Awards programme. We are currently scheduling our next round of External Funding Workshop dates for 2020 and will update you as soon as we have them confirmed.
• The Invest in Renfrewshire Communities team in partnership with Engage Renfrewshire are hosting a joint Support Session on Monday 9 December 2019, 2pm to 4pm at InCube Business Base, 27 High Street, Paisley, PA1 2AF, 14:00 to 16:00. Guest speakers include The National Lottery Community Fund who will focus on their current Funding programmes and Climate Action Fund – we hope you can join us for a festive mince pie! During the joint Workshop the GRANTfinder service will be available and groups will have an opportunity to search for funds that fit their project idea. If you would like to find out more about GRANTfinder or if you would like book a space on the Workshop please contact the Funding and Development Officer within the Invest in Renfrewshire Communities Team: (Econdev.community@renfrewshire.gov.uk) or email Stuart Miller, Community Capacity Development Officer at Engage Renfrewshire (SMiller@engagerenfrewshire.com). Book now – 2 spaces left!
• Provided a review and feedback on two draft external funding applications prior to submission.

Remember, FREE one-to-one development support is available for any constituted Renfrewshire based community group looking to complete an External funding application. If you have a completed draft application and would like to arrange a review session with the Invest in Renfrewshire Funding and Development Officer, please email: Econdev.community@renfrewshire.gov.uk

[/av_textblock]

[av_section min_height=’custom’ min_height_pc=’25’ min_height_px=’118px’ padding=’default’ shadow=’no-border-styling’ bottom_border=’no-border-styling’ bottom_border_diagonal_color=’#333333′ bottom_border_diagonal_direction=” bottom_border_style=” custom_margin=’0px’ custom_margin_sync=’true’ custom_arrow_bg=” color=’main_color’ background=’bg_color’ custom_bg=” background_gradient_color1=” background_gradient_color2=” background_gradient_direction=’vertical’ src=’https://www.paisley.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/invest-mailchimp-logo-2.jpg’ attachment=’68417′ attachment_size=’full’ attach=’parallax’ position=’center center’ repeat=’no-repeat’ video=” video_ratio=’16:9′ overlay_opacity=’0.5′ overlay_color=” overlay_pattern=” overlay_custom_pattern=” id=” custom_class=” aria_label=” av_element_hidden_in_editor=’0′ av_uid=’av-k3r3lzf2′][/av_section]

[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ row_boxshadow=” row_boxshadow_color=” row_boxshadow_width=’10’ link=” linktarget=” link_hover=” title_attr=” alt_attr=” padding=’0px’ highlight=” highlight_size=” border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ column_boxshadow=” column_boxshadow_color=” column_boxshadow_width=’10’ background=’bg_color’ background_color=” background_gradient_color1=” background_gradient_color2=” background_gradient_direction=’vertical’ src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_breaking=” mobile_display=” av_uid=”]

[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” id=” custom_class=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-k3r3l7wt’ admin_preview_bg=”]

SPOTLIGHT ON…. Happy Birthday National Lottery! 25 years young

About #CelebrateNationalLottery25

The National Lottery Community Fund are marking The National Lottery’s 25th birthday by bringing people together and offering people and communities with great ideas the chance to receive a grant between £100 and £1,000.  If you have an idea for an event or community activity or even if you want to buy something, that will bring your community together – they would love to hear from you.

Any group of two or more people with a great idea can apply. They’re particularly keen to hear from people they haven’t worked with before.

Join the celebration and apply today!  Deadline: Friday 6 December 2019

Find out more here: https://www.celebratenationallottery25.com/#section-2

FUNDING ALERT: Round 5 – Community Capacity & Resilience Fund (CCRF)

Calling all voluntary sector organisations tackling the impact of welfare reform and poverty!

We are pleased to announce that with continued investment from Scottish Government Round 5 of the Community Capacity & Resilience Fund (CCRF) is now accepting applications.

The Community Capacity & Resilience Fund (CCRF) gives local community based organisations, with an income of £250,000 or less, who are tackling the effects of welfare reform the opportunity to access Scottish Government funding to deliver short term projects that help people mitigate the impact of welfare reform by providing them with the support and skills they need.

With funding of £140,000 available for Round 5 of the CCRF, we are looking to support innovative and creative projects that increase the capacity of frontline organisations to mitigate the impact of welfare reform, promote social inclusion, combat inequality, and increase partnership working.

Applicants will be required to demonstrate:

• How their proposal will expand/develop the organisations capacity in order to meet demand relating to welfare reform
• How it will help bring organisations together in partnership to support people
• How it will develop people’s ability to prevent themselves from reaching crisis point

The fund is looking to award grants of between £1,000 and £7,500 to eligible voluntary sector organisations to deliver projects for up to a 9 month period, commencing early February 2020, that support individuals and communities to mitigate the impact of welfare reform and poverty.

The aim of the fund is to support organisations to mitigate the impact of poverty and welfare reform where there currently isn’t the capacity or resources, therefore, unfortunately, the scheme cannot fund any existing work, core costs or management fees.  The closing date for applications is 13 December 2019 at 5pm. External Link: https://scvo.org.uk/running-your-organisation/funding/community-capacity-resilience-fund

Current Funding Alerts – posted via our social media channels

Other funds promoted during November 2019 (deadlines now passed)

Social Enterprise Activities – November

Over the course of November, our Social Enterprise Officer has been involved in a number of one to one business review sessions with local groups.  These sessions provide an opportunity to discuss current priorities as well as business development opportunities.  Outcomes from recent reviews have included referral to our Business Growth Team for additional support.  These assignments focus on ensuring organisations have plans to grow trading income as well as ways to increase service users.  If you want to find out how your organisation/group could benefit, please contact our Social Enterprise Officer on tel: 0141-618-4344 or email: Econdev.community@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

Our last Enterprising Ideas workshop for 2019 took place on 27^th November 2019.  Whist the take-up of places for these evening sessions has been low, we will continue to offer sessions throughout the coming year.  Look out for our 2020 workshop dates in our January Round-up.  These sessions provide an ideal opportunity for new board members and/or volunteers to find out more about social enterprise support.  If you would like to find out more about these workshops, please contact the Invest in Renfrewshire Communities Team on: econdev.community@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

#PresentsWithPurpose   

Make sure you are promoting your activities, by participating in the annual ‘Buy Social’ campaign #PresentsWithPurpose.  Whether you sell products, deliver services, or provide activities, remember to tweet about your ‘offer’ and use the #PresentsWithPurpose.  It’s a great way of raising your profile as well as promoting your activities / services, and if you include @IRcommunities, then we’ll retweet.  Other tags to include are: @RenCouncilNews, @Engagenews1, #BuySocial, #SocEnt. 

Renfrewshire Social Enterprise Network (RenSEN)   

The next RenSEN Networking Event will take place on 5^th December.  The networking session is open to all Renfrewshire-based social enterprises and enterprising third sector organisations.  Doors open at 6:00pm for a 6:30pm start.  Venue is The Rainbow Centre, 27 Byres Road, Elderslie  PA5 9AQ.  To book a place email: icunningham@engagerenfrewshire.com or tania.morlan@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Want to join the Renfrewshire’s Social Enterprise Network Directory?  Sign-up today!  Contact Engage Renfrewshire via email: info@engagerenfrewshire.com

Just Enterprise Programme

If you haven’t heard about the Just Enterprise programme then watch this short clip: https://passion4social.com/dev/justenterprise/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2019/09/JustEnterprise-intro.mp4?_=1

Still not sure whether the programme is right for you? Then contact our Social Enterprise Officer to discuss how your group / organisation could benefit from Just Enterprise support (email: Econdev.community@renfrewshire.gov.uk).  Or visit the Just Enterprise website: https://passion4social.com/dev/justenterprise/.

Spotlight on…Social Media 

• 16^th January 2020 (Paisley) – A Business Gateway workshop on how to use Twitter and Hootsuite https://www.bgateway.com/events/twitter-hootsuite-intermediate-digitalboost-12888-1
• Digital Boost – Over 30 online resources such as webinars, guides and templates on a range of social media, e-commerce and digital marketing topics – here’s the link: https://www.bgateway.com/resources/digitalboost/digital-resources
• Social Media Online Tutorial – Learn how to get the most out of social media for your social enterprise through this online tutorial: https://www.bgateway.com/resources/social-media-for-business/overview
• Facebook – Do you want to know how to promote and manage your Facebook page to attract new customers? Here’s a guide which explains more: https://www.bgateway.com/assets/templates/Facebook-for-Business.pdf
• Social Media Strategy – Whether you are trying to reach a local or national audience, social media is a powerful marketing tool.  Here’s guidance on how to write a Social Media Strategy: – https://www.bgateway.com/assets/templates/Social_Media_Strategy_Guide.pdf
• Scheduling Templates – Scheduling your social media posts helps you to plan and manage your social media communications.  Down load the Calendar Template here: https://www.bgateway.com/resources/digitalboost/digital-resources
• Business Gateway Youtube Channel – Here’s a link to more video content:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxws692ovMiiAx3l0iXxmlA/featured

Highlights from Social Enterprise E-bulletins and Newsletters

• Creative Renfrewshire’s next Get Together is scheduled for 12^th December.  The event begins at 6:30pm. For more info and booking instructions, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/get-together-4-a-christmas-get-together-tickets-81814502379.

·         SCVO Competition / The Gathering – Win an exhibitor package for The Gathering 2020!  SCVO is giving one voluntary sector organisation a fantastic opportunity to participate in The Gathering on 19 and 20 February 2020 with a prize worth over £1,200, which includes an exhibition stand at the SEC, lunch and refreshment vouchers for four people for both days, B&B accommodation in Glasgow on 19 February 2020, a free advert in The Gathering guide and tickets to the drinks reception.  To be in with a chance of winning, tweet an image of your team celebrating or showcasing what your organisation does using the #scvogathering hashtag by Friday 6 December 2019 (see full terms and conditions). Don’t worry if you have already booked a stand – your organisation can still enter the competition and will simply be refunded any costs if you win.

• Volunteer Scotland’s research on Volunteering, Health and Wellbeing which includes health and wellbeing evidence for Scotland and answers four key questions including What is the current and projected state of people’s health and wellbeing in Scotland?  Here’s the link for more info: https://www.volunteerscotland.net/hwbvol
• Evaluation Support Scotland has released a helpful guide for organisations wanting to obtain funding or undertake collaborative research with academic institutions and partners. It provides experiences, advice and information regarding methods and approaches to obtaining funding.

[/av_textblock]

[/av_one_full]