extent of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in Ireland and of services
... If your organisation intends to submit a proposal for raising awareness of ...
Awareness Raising Grant Scheme 2013 Relating to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence
Guidance Manual for Grant Applications 2013
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Table of Contents The Grant Scheme
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1. Introduction
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2. Applying for a Grant – The Application Form
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3. Conditions of the Scheme
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4. Conditions of the Scheme for Projects for People with Disabilities
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5. How Applications are Assessed
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6. Evaluation of your Project
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7. Auditing of Spending Under the Scheme
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SECTION I: The Grant Scheme 1. Introduction One of the High Level Goals of the National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2010-2014 is to promote a culture of prevention and recognition through increased understanding of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Cosc’s remit provides that it will, among other objectives, seek to raise awareness throughout society as a whole and among specific audiences of the nature and extent of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in Ireland and of services available to help those who experience these crimes. Developing, implementing and sustaining national and local awarenessraising campaigns that challenge myths and increase understanding of the issues are key tools in the process of increasing recognition and understanding of domestic and sexual violence and need to be supported by related activity. The purpose of this grant scheme is to support groups at local, regional and national level in raising awareness of these crimes, and services for victims. Cosc also carries out its own awareness raising activities and these, together with the activity supported under the grant scheme, should be mutually complementary and supportive. Cosc recognises that some activities are best carried out by those working on the ground, but we also recognise that we can play a role in ensuring a degree of coordination and collaboration where that makes sense. Cosc supports collaboration between groups in raising awareness as an effective and cost saving tool of communication in that it gives groups an opportunity to reach a wider target audience to reinforce a common message. Guiding Principles for Public Awareness Raising Activities Relating to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence If your organisation intends to submit a proposal for raising awareness of domestic, sexual and genderbased violence it is suggested that you take into account the Guiding Principles for Public Awareness Raising Activities Relating to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence. Primarily the guidelines aim to encourage a shift from a focus of public awareness raising activities on the victim to an inclusion of a focus on the perpetrator and bystander whilst also ensuring that information on support services is available to victims/survivors. Communications paper on approaches to promoting and developing an understanding of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence In submitting proposals, organisations should consult the Communications Paper on Approaches to Promoting and Developing an Understanding of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence as it contains very useful information for organisations with regard to suggestions on how best to raise awareness and to communicate messages on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. While the paper’s focus is the general public and two population specific groups, namely the Traveller Community and migrant communities, it can also be applied to other vulnerable groups. As such, the paper is intended as guidance to organisations and professionals on suggested approaches to promote and develop an understanding and recognition of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The document has been developed for the general population and the Traveller Community and Migrant Communities, but it is planned to develop additional guidance on suggested approaches for other risk groups.
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National Strategy Information Plan for 2013 The focus of the National Strategy Information Plan for 2013, under The National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2010-2014, is on increasing understanding and recognition of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence among the general public, professional educators and persons with disabilities. Information which helps to increase understanding, knowledge and recognition of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is particularly important for vulnerable people in seeking to empower them to protect themselves against potential violence and abuse. Stream of funding under Cosc Grant Scheme to raise awareness among people with disabilities Cosc, in conjunction with the Disability Policy Division in the Department of Justice and Equality, are providing in 2013 a separate stream of funding for projects that will develop and deliver appropriate and targeted communication to raise awareness and increase recognition of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence among people with disabilities. Those people with disabilities considered most vulnerable or at risk would be a particularly important target group Proposals for awareness raising activities should be innovative and cost effective and should aim to have a multiplier effect either at a regional or national level, through the dissemination of information or targeted activities and networking with the aim of raising awareness of domestic, sexual and gender based violence issues among people with disabilities regardless of where they reside (see section 4) 2. Applying for a Grant The application form for funding under the grant scheme is made up of 10 parts. The application should contain as much information and supporting documentation as possible. Please submit 3 hard copies of the application, supporting documentation and an electronic copy in MS Word format to arrive before 5pm on Friday 26th April 2013. Part 1: Basic factual information about your organisation/group of organisations • Content here should be brief and to the point. • Where there are joint/collaborative applications please nominate a lead organisation. • When providing a description of your organisation, please keep it brief. In the case of joint/collaborative applications, this may well be a description of your group or network rather than a description of each of the individual member organisations. • Provide full contact details of the main contact person in the lead organisation for this application. Part 2: General information about the project(s) you are proposing The information provided here should include the following: • Aim and Objectives – what is the aim of the project, what will it achieve and rationale for same • Target group/s – who will be the target for the project’s activities • Scope – what will the project cover/not cover • Geographical area – what area/s will be covered and rationale for same • Project deliverables – what deliverables will the project generate, how will they be delivered and the quality criteria applied to same • Benefits – what will be the benefits of the project and how this will be measured • Risks – what risks could have negative impacts for the project and how they will be dealt with or minimised
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Part 3: Details in relation to any advertising activity you are seeking to have funded • Please give as much precise information as you can about the size, number and costs of ads., and rationale for using same instead of other activities/tools • If you are proposing certain forms of advertising because you have used them previously and found them effective please detail this, including any evidence of their previous effectiveness, e.g. increase in number of calls to a helpline etc. • Please enclose at least 2 supplier quotations for any work to be undertaken. Government good practice dictates that 3 quotations should be obtained for the acquisition of goods or services over 500 euro. Part 4: Details in relation to any information materials you are seeking to have funded • Please give as much precise information as you can about the type, size, number and costs of information materials and plans for distribution, and rationale for using same instead of other activities/tools • If you are proposing to use certain materials because you have used them previously and found them effective please detail this, including any evidence of their previous effectiveness, e.g. increase in number of calls to a helpline etc. • Where appropriate and reasonable, please give due regard to issues around the accessibility of information materials which will have benefit to a wide range of users (see suggestions in Communications paper link including other resources available) and where information may need to be tailored for a specific target group (e.g. Easy to Read versions) • Please enclose at least 2 supplier quotations for any work to be undertaken. Government good practice dictates that 3 quotations should be obtained for the acquisition of goods or services over 500 euro. • Cosc will not fund information materials (such as leaflets/brochures/business cards/website development) which profile individual organisations. Applications are welcome for generic materials to be rolled out on a national basis for organisations working in the domestic and sexual violence sectors subject to a majority of that sector’s cohort subscribing. Part 5: Details of any other awareness raising activity you are seeking to have funded The purpose of this section of the application form is to facilitate applicants in providing detail of any other proposed awareness raising activities other than, or in addition to, advertising activities and information activities referred to in Part 3 and Part 4. Proposed activities outlined in this section will be considered part of the overall project proposal you have outlined in this application form. • Please give as much detail as possible about the proposed activity/activities, reflecting the level of detail required in Part 3 and Part 4. • Please attach in electronic form to this application any further details you feel are relevant. • If you are seeking funding for an activity that you have undertaken previously and found it to be effective and would see value in it being repeated or replicated, please provide detail of same under the headings set out in Part 2 of this application. Evidence of its previous benefits and effectiveness and future anticipated benefits would be particularly important for the evaluation process. • Please enclose at least 2 supplier quotations for any work to be undertaken. Government good practice dictates that 3 quotations should be obtained for the acquisition of goods or services over 500 euro. Part 6: Details of overall project costs and any other funding Please give as much detail as possible in this section • Project cost – overall expected cost of the proposed project and a breakdown of all elements of same Page 5 of 10
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Please give details of any other funding applied for, or received, in relation to the proposed project. Please give details of discounted rates received or any other ‘value for money’ or cost saving strategies employed relating to the proposed project.
Mandatory sections of the form that must be completed if your application is to be considered: Part 7: declaration regarding disclosure of your information under the Freedom of Information Acts 1997-2003 Part 8: declaration regarding Cosc’s disclaimer Part 9: declaration regarding compliance with the requirements
Part 10: Checklist • This is a checklist of instructions which you should complete prior to submitting your application. 3. Conditions of the Grant Scheme To apply for grant funding under this scheme your organisation must comply with the following: 1. To be a legal entity i.e. a registered charity or registered company. 2. To provide evidence of tax compliance or registration as a charity in accordance with Department of Justice and Equality procedures. 3. To provide audited accounts for 2012 as submitted to the Company Registration Office 4. To provide at least 2 supplier quotations for any work to be undertaken. Government good practice dictates that 3 quotations should be obtained for the acquisition of goods or services over 500 euro. Failure to provide at least 2 supplier quotations may lead to your application not being eligible for consideration. 5. Agree to acknowledge the contribution of Cosc in any project materials and adhere to Cosc branding guidelines. In the case of projects funded under the Disability stream to also include the Department of Justice and Equality logo in funded materials. 6. Submit proposed project materials to Cosc for approval prior to publication/printing. 7. To provide reports and financial accounts as required by Cosc for audit. 8. To provide all written undertakings required before any grant is issued. 9. To use the funding strictly for the purpose for which it is granted. 10. To complete the declaration required relating to disclosure of information under the Freedom of Information Act. 11. To accept and sign the disclaimer at the end of the application form. 12. To complete the declaration that your organisation meets the conditions set out in this section of the Guidance Manual. 13. Successful grant applicants are expected to run the project for which they were funded and to have spent their funding by the end of the calendar year in which the funding was received. Cosc approval is required to extend the deadline. Where funding has been allocated and has not been spent prior to the commencement of the next round of grant funding the applicant is required to refund the grant except by prior approval from Cosc. 14. To agree to share any funded initiative with other interested organisations. 15. Successful applicants must submit a report of the evaluation of their project not later than 12 weeks after (i) the project has finished or (ii) up to the compilation of the evaluation report, whichever is the sooner. Page 6 of 10
4. Conditions of funding for projects that will develop and deliver appropriate and targeted communication to raise awareness and increase recognition of domestic, sexual and genderbased violence among people with disabilities. This initiative is targeted at organisations operating at national and regional level and aims to contribute to the development of improved services and information for people with disabilities relating to the issues of domestic, sexual and gender based violence and contributing to awareness raising. Funding may be granted to proposals which are deemed to demonstrate awareness raising in an innovative and cost effective approach for people with disabilities, and which has a multiplier effect and maximises added value. Applications containing proposals on how the funding will raise awareness and knowledge for people with disabilities in situations where they may not currently be able to access or use information on domestic, sexual and gender based violence would be particularly welcome. The involvement of people with disabilities in project activities, particularly in developing and disseminating appropriate information and/or targeted activities, will be particularly encouraged. Priority will be given to applications from umbrella groups or consortia that demonstrate the best potential to generate high quality deliverables, and dissemination and awareness raising activities to raise awareness of people with disabilities on the issue of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The proposed project should be of a standard that would allow it to be used or taken on board by other organisations in the future as a best practice example of how to raise awareness among people with disabilities on the issue of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. In this context, project proposals should demonstrate, in addition to the requirements outlined in Part 2, the following: • A level of innovation which addresses new ways of raising awareness among people with disabilities on the issue of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, particularly among those considered most vulnerable or high risk. • A focus on transferability whereby the project’s approach and deliverables can be used by other organisations as a model of good practice • An emphasis on showcasing projects which lead to empowerment and independence for people with disabilities • A dimension which focuses on eliminating barriers for people with disabilities, including access to information in general as well as access to appropriate information 5. How Applications are Assessed (A) When Cosc assesses the applications received under this scheme, we will have regard to: 1. The relevance of the project to Cosc’s remit and to the National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2010-2014. 2. The need for the project in light of similar work being done, or planned, by Cosc or other organisations in the area. 3. Whether the applicant is already receiving funds for this or similar projects. 4. The extent of the service, catchment area and target group(s). 5. The overall quality of the proposal, including relevance as set out in this Guidance, potential impact of the project and benefits to the target group/s 6. Cosc gives preference to joint/collaborative applications where greater economies of scale can be achieved. 7. Where translation costs are sought, Cosc prefers the production of a single multi-lingual publication over the production of several publications. Translation costs will only be Page 7 of 10
considered where details are provided of the non-English speaking communities in the catchment area of the project and of the services that are available in the relevant languages. Cosc will consider funding translation costs in the following languages1: a. Irish b. Polish c. French d. Lithuanian e. German f. Russian g. Spanish h. Romanian i. Chinese j. Latvian. Translation into other languages will only be considered on request. Cosc reserves the right not to consider incomplete applications (B) Please note that Cosc will not fund the following under the 2013 scheme: • • • • • • • • • •
other state bodies recruitment or employment of staff training events or attendance at same the purchase of IT or other office equipment or general office supplies fund raising activities conferences or attendance at same website development television advertisements information materials profiling individual organisations Projects that give rise to commercial activity or profits.
6. Evaluation of your Project It is important that all communications activities are monitored and evaluated to ensure that they are both effective and represent value for money. Many activities are difficult to evaluate, but some simple evaluation tools can be used. These include: • If you have a website, the number of visits to your website during the period of your project and in the weeks after your project. • The number of calls to your helpline during the period of your project and in the weeks after your project. • The number of contacts from clients through other channels (e.g. e-mail, letters, personal callers) during the period of your project and in the weeks after your project. • The number of new clients in the weeks after the project. • The amount of coverage in local press. • You could also consider developing a simple questionnaire which you can use to survey a sample of your target audience both before and after your project.
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As per Census figures for 2011 representing the top 10 languages (other than English) spoken in peoples homes in Ireland.
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The real value of the measurements above comes when you compare them against a similar period of time, say in the weeks before the campaign, or compared to the same period the previous year. This way you can then measure the level of any increase in calls, clients, etc. Project Evaluation Report Cosc requires all successful grant applicants to complete a brief Project Evaluation Report supplied by Cosc for completion by 10 January 2014. This Report should set out a brief description of the project, and include the following: • The type and quantity of materials produced. • The quantity of materials remaining unused. • Details of the number of contacts (calls, website visits etc) received following project completion. • Lessons learnt from project, any risks or slippage encountered and how they are being addressed • Discounted rates received and ‘value for money’ or cost saving strategies employed. • Whether the Guiding Principles for Public Awareness Raising Relating to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence were taken into account in any awareness raising activities and examples of same. If your organisation carries out any surveys or formal evaluations of your project these should be included also. Electronic copies of any promotional materials that were created using money granted will also be required. This report must be submitted to Cosc by 10th January 2014. 7. Auditing of Spending Under the Grant Scheme Cosc will select a number of successful grant applicants each year for audit. In 2013, the organisations chosen for audit will be on the basis of the size of the grants received, the numbers of successful applicants and whether or not organisations have come to our attention in previous audits. Cosc will ask each selected organisation to send in details of expenditure under the grant scheme, as well as the invoices and proof of payments associated with the invoices. Original documentation will be required, which will be returned once the audit process is complete. Organisations will usually be given at least two weeks from the date of the request to send Cosc their response. Cosc will then examine this documentation for completeness and consistency of expenditure compared with the original project proposal that received grant funding. If there are any questions that need to be resolved Cosc will contact the nominated contact person to seek further information. If an organisation is unable to resolve the questions satisfactorily, that organisation will be audited if it receives further grant funding from Cosc and may be placed on a list of organisations to be audited by the Department’s Internal Audit Unit. If expenditure on a project by an organisation differs significantly to that which was contained in the original grant application and approved for funding, or if funding has been used in an unauthorised manner (see Section 5(B)), this may have an adverse effect on how future applications for grant funding from that organisation will be assessed by Cosc. The organisation in question will also automatically be audited in the event that it receives further grant funding. Page 9 of 10
Cosc, 2nd Floor, Montague Court, Montague Street, Dublin 2. Tel: +353 1 4768680 Fax: +353 1 4768619 go to www.cosc.ie
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