Aims/priorities: The programme aims to achieve equitable coverage across the UK with the VRCs which must be able to provide support to both veterans and the fuller Armed Forces serving community as soon as possible and no later than the end of the second year of three-year funded projects.
The funding is intended for existing organisations or consortiums (a group of organisations coming together to work cohesively to deliver the required programme outcomes) to provide a set of fixed services, including health, housing and employment guidance and support.
Projects need to deliver all of the following outcomes:
- Help reduce the postcode lottery by delivering more equity of access and a level of consistency in service quality.
- Enhance collaboration and coordination within your area between statutory and non-statutory organisations.
- Help improve understanding of need through sharing data and information on veterans and the wider armed forces community.
Who can apply? Applications will be accepted from:
- A registered charity which can demonstrate relevant experience and engagement in the provision of services to veterans.
- A CIC that has been established more than three years so that evidence of governance, financial and operational management can be provided, and that you can demonstrate relevant experience and engagement in the provision of services to veterans.
- A local government body.
There are two application rounds with a different focus for each round:
- The first round is aimed at larger established organisations, or consortiums which could deliver an operational centre at pace. These ideally will be well established spaces with partnerships, policies and referral pathways in place and a significant regional footprint.
- The second round will be for more regional/community/locality organisations with excellent local knowledge and connections to apply.
Applicants must have:
- Experience delivering complex projects and collaborating with other organisations. They will need to operate collaboratively with other statutory and non-statutory support services within their area and follow ‘no wrong door’ approach (ie, they must help individuals connect with the best support available).
- Clear governance and financial processes in place, as well as clear policies and processes around safeguarding.
- Strong, sophisticated approaches to inclusion and equity, in how support is delivered to veterans / wider Armed Forces Community as well as an understanding of the needs of underrepresented groups or specific cohorts (for example, Gurkhas) and how to ensure they are engaged and supported.
- Be willing to work closely with the Office for Veterans’ Affairs and to offer support and services to the wider Armed Forces community in their catchment area from the second year of the project.
Grant amount: There is a total fund of £50 million spread across two funding rounds:
- Round 1 offers grants of between £500,000 and £1 million to support a project being delivered over a period of three years.
- Round 2 offers grants of up to £500,000 (with a possibility for some areas to potentially be able to apply for grants of £1 million too) for projects delivered over a period of up to three years. (Note: Round 2 is subject to confirmation.)
Application process: The guidelines and online application form can be found on the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust website.
Deadline: Midday Wednesday 14 January
Contact information: Email: info@covenantfund.org.uk
Website: https://covenantfund.org.uk/programme/valour-recognised-centres-development-fund/