Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund – Cushendun

Purpose of the fund:

Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund

Cushendun Community Grants Scheme is part of the Cushendun – A renewed coastal village project, funded by the UK Prosperity Fund.  This project aims to develop a long-term vision for Cushendun; to identify projects for future investment, which could build a resilient local economy and community where people want to live, work and visit.

This community grants scheme will support a programme of activity across Autumn/Winter to bring new products and activities on the themes of cultural and/or natural heritage (land and sea) and/or local built assets. Organisations who have local knowledge, expertise and social networks will be able to apply for this funding to test and pilot imaginative new approaches, products, experiences or services, which will enhance Cushendun / Knocknacarry / Glendun area and will appeal to both local residents and visitors alike.  Making more diverse experiences and activities available will increase the length of time that people stay in Cushendun, increase the amount of money they spend, and encourage new and repeat visitors.

Only projects which take place within the Cushendun village area            (including Knocknacarry and Glendun) are eligible to apply. Organisations that are not located in the outlined area of benefit are welcome to apply, providing that the project activity will take place in the village scheme area and benefit the local community / businesses.

The grant scheme will provide grants of between £3,000 and £5,000.

We want to offer flexibility in this funding process; within the areas of natural, cultural and built heritage, we particularly wish to see proposals for projects which bring to life the stories, characteristics and essence of Cushendun and projects which inspire change through ideas and actions to encourage active participation in caring for Cushendun, and sustaining its long-term future.

The fund will be managed by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland on behalf of the National Trust.

It is recommended that you read our top tips for making an application to the Foundation found here

An information session will be held on Wednesday 8 June at 7pm in Glenmona House for any interested applicants.

Who can apply

• A community or voluntary group/organisation
• A registered charity
• A social enterprise or other non-profit making organisation

What can be funded

• Projects taking place within Cushendun village area, including Knocknacarry and Glendun.
• Projects which meet at least one of the Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund – Cushendun objectives:
  – Enlivening Village Heritage
  – Promoting Cultural and Natural heritage
  – Celebrating Local Assets
• Projects that engage a wider range of people with Cushendun, to improve their wellbeing and connection with the landscape
• Projects that engage people as active participants in the discovery, interpretation and celebration of Cushendun

Here are some examples of the types of projects we can fund:

• Outdoor activities to engage young people in the natural and /or cultural heritage of Cushendun
• Community – based tourism: experiences which allow visitors to meet the people, taste the food, see the landscape, and share in the unique ways the people live their lives.
• Activities which engage people in exploring the seascape / coastal area.
• Ecotourism products
• Creative arts, which help people engage with the natural and cultural heritage of Cushendun
• Purchase of tools or equipment for volunteer/community groups to look after Cushendun’s shared garden spaces
• Community research projects which explore, celebrate and improve access to the under-represented cultural heritage of Cushendun.

What cannot be funded

The Community Foundation will not fund organisations or activities which promote causes that are contrary to our purposes. Causes and activities that are contrary to our purposes include, but may not be limited to, those outlined in our investment policy i.e. those linked to the promotion of armaments, alcohol, human rights abuses, tobacco or pornography.

In addition, the Community Foundation will not support the following:

• The advancement of religion. This includes organisations whose purposes include advancement of religion;
• The establishment of endowment of any school or institution providing further education within the meaning of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1972;
• The provision of assistance to any Housing Association within the meaning of the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1976;
• Promotion of religious or political activity, including any flags and emblems that may deem to be associated with such;
• CIC Companies Limited by Shares, or CICs without an asset lock clause.  Eligible CICs must have at least three unrelated committee members, and/or the majority of the committee unrelated;
• Costs of making planning applications or other statutory permissions; Routine maintenance work;
• Carrying out statutory duties;
• Projects which will take longer than 4 months to deliver.

Supporting Documents

You will need to submit the documents below with your application in order for it to be assessed:

Constitution:

Applicants must submit a Constitution/Terms of Reference or similar which details the purpose and governance of the group or organisation, including not for profit and dissolution clauses.  This is not required for public organisations.

Policies:

Any, relevant to project, policies such as Child Protection, Adult Safeguarding Policies and Equality Policy/Equal Opportunities Policy

Accounts:

Applicants must submit a copy of their most recent signed accounts, audited if applicable.

Evidence of land ownership:

Please submit evidence of land ownership, e.g. deeds, or copies of your lease with an unexpired term of at least 10 years without a break clause.  If the property or land is held on a lease for less than 10 years or if it contains a break clause that may terminate the lease within 10 years, the land owner must join in the grant application and agree to be bound by the grant conditions if a community grant is awarded.

Site map and photographs: for habitat/heritage site works.

Additional Guidance for habitat & capital projects

Please read this section if your project involves work to habitats or other capital works, e.g., pathways or works to heritage features such as Scheduled Ancient Monuments.

• Projects which benefit habitat and species (and/or habitat connectivity between sites) will be weighted as part of the assessment scoring.
• Applicants must secure any required planning permissions or other statutory consents/ Environmental Impact Assessments required for the project before applying.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to speak to the relevant authorities to determine if any permissions or consents are required.
• Applicants must show how the habitat/site/feature will be maintained after the project has ended.

How your grant application will be assessed

Assessment & Decision Periods

• Submitted application forms will have a 3/4-week assessment period and decisions will be presented to the Foundation’s Grants and Impact Committee as soon as possible following this.
• We anticipate decisions issued by the end of July

Rating of applications

Each application will be assessed by the Community Foundation Grants staff and rated against the following:

• Alignment with the Cushendun – A renewed coastal village objectives
• Involvement of and benefit to local community
• Value for money
• Ability of the applicant to carry out the project

How your grant will be paid & monitored

Successful applicants will be notified by email once a decision has been made. A Grant Agreement will be sent to the Lead Contact named in your application.  This agreement needs to be signed online by an authorised signatory for your organisation and returned to the Community Foundation.

Grants will be paid up front upon receipt of your signed contract.

Grantees will need to submit copies of invoices/receipts for all expenditure over £500.  For items under £500 grantees will need to complete a table detailing Date/Item Description/Amount when completing your end of grant report.  Grantees will need to keep receipts for items under £500 for 7 years for audit purposes.

The End of Project Report template will be provided with your Grant Award letter. This must be completed and submitted no later than 30 November 2022.

If you are unsure about any of the above text or have any other queries then please contact the Grants Team on 028 9024 5927 or via e-mail: applications@communityfoundationni.org