Funding for Backcourt Improvements
Funders
Most grant aid for environmental improvement is targeted on increasing public access and amenities, but backcourts are private gardens. However, the communal aspect of tenements, and the different strands included in sustainability issues can increase the potential funding sources for backcourt improvements.A sustainable backcourt could promote a range of activities and initiatives that might be eligible for funding from different sources. For example:-
- Social – increasing community safety; building community involvement and cohesion; introducing community arts into the backcourt area, for instance creating a piece of artwork or putting on a performance; increasing inclusion of children, older people, different cultures; health issues such as exercise and growing food etc.
- Environmental – reducing and diverting waste through recycling and re-use; increasing biodiversity; improving resource use, such as energy or water saving initiatives; finding new uses for recycled materials; etc.
Properties mainly in the ownership of Registered Social Landlords (RSLs - housing associations or housing cooperatives) may also be able to access housing and environmental regeneration grants through local or central government. This type of grant usually links environmental improvements to existing housing improvement works in areas of greater deprivation.
Large Projects
The reconstruction of a backcourt is expensive, around £200,000 for clearance and rebuilding in a fairly typical tenemental backcourt containing around 15 to 20 closes. Finding financial support on this scale usually requires a package of applications to different funding organisations, covering different aspects of the project – see example. Building this type of portfolio of funding is an exacting task and usually requires the commitment of full-time staff. Each project will have a different range of contributors, as many of the funds in the example have now ceased, or changed their focus. New funding strands are launched frequently, some of which may be appropriate for backcourt improvements.Small Projects
Community organisations that are not able to put together large funding bids can still approach many funding bodies with realistic expectations of getting some support. Small amounts of money - between £500 and £10,000 - added to the time and energy of residents can often have a huge effect. For smaller organisations the basic minimum requirement for applying to most funders is that the organisation has a constitution (a set of rules for the organisation) and a bank account with at least 2 signatories. Contributions from owners and the fundraising activities of all residents can generate funds and will also convince grant-giving bodies of the local commitment to the project.Example
Partick Housing Association is a good example of a large backcourt improvement project which was only feasible when a successful funding package was put together. The £220,000 project budget improved the backcourts of 151 flats in 18 closes. Funders included:-
- Scottish Executive’s Strategic Waste Fund - to support the introduction of recycling in the tenements.
- Glasgow City Council – through development funding available to RSLs for environmental improvements.
- Communities Scotland Wider Role Fund - dependant on the project having a wider social effect, which was met by the contractors providing training places as part of the works.
- Kelvin Clyde Greenspace – funding towards the ‘greening’ aspect of the project, plants and planting.
- The Lighthouse - contribution from the SUST Fund, which promotes innovative design to support sustainable development.
- Partick Housing Association – investment in their own properties.
- Owners (26% of the properties) each contributed a nominal amount.
Applying for funds
For successful fundraising, time and energy should be invested in researching and developing your application. There are organisations which can help you if you have never filled in a funding application before (see below) and these steps might help you get started:-- Applying for funding is not asking for a favour – it is helping funders to do their job. Funding organisations exist to award grants, not to keep the money for themselves. Of course, projects must meet their criteria, and there are probably many more applications than they can support. But funders are happy and eager to get applications from good projects.
- Be clear. Many applications fail because the information needed to make a decision is not given. You know your project inside out, but the funding organisations doesn’t, all they have is the information you give them. Answer their questions clearly, tell them what your project is going to do, and why it is important.
- Make sure you are applying to the right funder. Some applications fail because people have not applied to the right funder for their project. Find out as much as you can about the funder before you apply to avoid this mistake.
Finding out more
Get the basics – the minimum requirement for applying to most funders is that your organisation has a constitution (a set of rules for the organisation) and a bank account with at least 2 signatories.Find your local CVS (Centre for Volunteer Services) – they will have access to funding directories such as Funder Finder or Grants on Line, and they can give support if you have not used these before. Each area has it own range of eligible funders, the CVS will have an up to date list.
Click here for a link to the directory which will help you fiind your local CVS.
Contact your local authority – they often have information about funding and other initiatives that your project might be able to access. The best contact is your local councillor.
See other projects – the Community Webnet is a database of community environmental organisations and projects across Scotland. The website also has an excellent range of useful resources, including a regularly updated lists of funders. You may be able to get funding for a trip to visit projects in other parts on the country.
