Scouting in Gloucestershire: Helping young people reach their full potential

County Programme Enhancement Fund

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If you are considering to ask the County Executive Committee for support towards a programme or activity that will enhance the development of the young people involved, then please read this briefing as it will give you guidance on what you can and cannot ask for and whether your bid will be successful.

If you require financial support, it is essential that you apply at least 12 months in advance of the event. This will enable the Executive Committee to set aside the necessary budget.

The County Executive Committee is keen to support events that will enable young people to achieve a specific goal especially where the opportunity is unlikely without this support. Expeditions such as Explorer Belt and international ventures are two examples where the Executive Committee would be interested in supporting. The County Executive Committee will not fund the entire event as they expect the participants to finance most of the costs through organised fundraising, personal contributions or a combination of both.

There are three areas that you can ask for funding:

• To buy equipment that can join the county stores after the event

• Funding to supplement the costs that supporting adults attending the event may incur

• Equipment that will be used to support Scouting in deprived communities (UK or abroad)

The County Executive Committee will not fund full costs, consumables or such expenses as insurance.

To prepare your bid, please refer to Appendix 1: County Policy for Supporting Activities and Camps

Provide a summary of the event with as much detail as possible. This needs to include the aims of the event, who will benefit from it and how, why you are doing it, how it will promote scouting (including Gloucestershire Scouting) and what activities you will be doing afterwards that will benefit others in the community.

You need to produce a comprehensive budget forecast outlining all the costs and income you expect. Include estimated successes in fundraising and where the money from the County Bid (if successful) will fit.

You will also need to show a projection on how many Young People will be attending and the number of supporting adults. You must clearly show that you have taken on board the requirements and recommendations of The Scout Association on running such an event by referring to Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR) and guidance fact sheets (all available from Gilwell Park or www.ScoutBase.org.uk)

Once you have prepared the required information, meet with the DCC Activities to discuss the event. If the DCC Activities feels that the event has a chance of gaining some or all of the funding then it will be taken to the next County Executive Committee Meeting for consideration. However, there is no guarantee that funding will be given. Success is based on a number of factors including:

• Does it meet the three areas outlined earlier?

• Number of bids received

• Amount of available funds

If your bid is unsuccessful, then the County will offer support on identifying other funding options that might be available to you.

Good Luck and enjoy!