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Application guidance
Preparing an application
We are looking for evidence of a sound business case and for projects that meet our priorities for funding.
When you apply for a grant, you’re competing with other applicants in the eligible area. We’re looking for projects that best meet the priorities for funding, and that are good value for taxpayers’ money.
If you can show this clearly in your application, you’re more likely to receive a grant.
GIF grant funding is limited and will be prioritised for applications that contribute the most to the programme’s aims and themes. The application process is competitive, meaning that even those who submit a quality application may not be funded, as this scheme aims to support a range of projects, to cover a variety of needs and geographies.
Devon County Council reserves the right not to make any awards if it is considered that the proposals do not demonstrate clear and measurable impact on carbon reduction to meet the Green Impact Fund’s aims and objectives.
All applications are assessed and put forward to an independent decision-making board who have the final say on whether a project is approved or declined for funding.
Do not start work, incur costs or place an order before your grant agreement has been signed or you receive confirmation in writing that it is OK to do so, as this would potentially make your whole project ineligible.
The application process
We are using an application form designed for grants between £5,000 and £49,999. We understand that the application process may appear to be lengthy for those only seeking a small amount of funding, however, the application detail should be proportionate to the size of the grant you are applying for.
The most important consideration, and what your application will be assessed on, is the quality of the information, not quantity. Therefore, we expect the level of detail will be greater for larger project funding applications than smaller projects.
The GIF Application is a comprehensive application, and is your opportunity to tell us in detail about your project. This is a competitive process; you will be part of a group of projects that will be presented to the Decision-Making Board, therefore you need to ‘sell’ your project to us.
Supporting documents
We will require supporting documents including quotes, business accounts for the last financial year, evidence of match funding available and a decarbonisation plan if applicable. This can also include documentation that demonstrates the need and demand, impact, value for money and deliverability of your project and how it will make a game-changing difference to your business and/or to the local economy or community.
You will need to demonstrate proof of all relevant statutory approvals or permissions required for your project to proceed (such as planning permission). You will also need to provide quotations or tenders for all project costs.
Outputs, milestones and outcomes
Outputs are the measurable results that you will achieve as part of the project. Outputs are integral in the decision-making process; they help the appraiser determine the value for money that the project will achieve.
If your application is successful, they will form part of the grant funding agreement that you will be required to enter into with Devon County Council. Therefore, it is advisable to be realistic about the outputs your project will achieve.
Some examples of outputs you might achieve could include the:
- number of new techniques, innovative technologies or energy efficiencies adopted
- number of jobs created
- number of jobs safeguarded
- long-term reductions in energy consumption
- long-term reductions in greenhouse gas emissions
Milestones are they keys steps in your project, these are normally the timescales in which you hope to achieve progress.
Outcomes are benefits from the projects that are not as measurable as outputs. For example:
- wellbeing – healthier offices and improved manufacturing systems – healthier more committed workforce
- increased business opportunity for upgraded businesses as they can evidence their commitment to sustainable business and become a member of an accreditation scheme
- improved knowledge of carbon and understanding of Climate Emergency or call for zero emissions
What happens next
The programme team will check your full application for completeness. If there are any documents missing or we require further information the team will request this, and you will have five working days to submit it.
There are short timescales between submission and the decision-making panel meeting date, therefore we would advise you to submit this information as soon as possible.
All applications will be independently appraised. The appraiser may ask you to clarify some details, therefore, please try to ensure you are available between the period of processing and decision-making – or provide an alternative contact where you can’t avoid being unavailable.
We will inform you of the outcome within 20 days.
Decision
The decision on whether to award funding will be made by the Decision-Making Board (DMB).
There are four possible outcomes from the DMB meeting:
- Approved – the project is awarded the funding without any additional conditions.
- Approved with conditions – the project is awarded the funding subject to meeting additional conditions.
- Deferred – the project decision is deferred; you will be provided with details of the reasons and what you must provide to enable the DMB to decide.
- Rejected – The application is rejected, and you are provided detailed reasons for the decision – you will also be informed if you can reapply.
The successful applicants (approved projects) will be required to enter into a grant agreement with Devon County Council.
Appeals process
While we appreciate a rejection will be disappointing, this decision will not have been taken lightly, therefore appeals are only accepted if you believe we have:
- made a mistake
- made a processing error
- made an error in law
Appeals cannot be made because you are unhappy with the outcome.
All appeals should be submitted in writing to the green.grants@devon.gov.uk mailbox within 30 working days; they will be independently reviewed.
The outcome will be sent to you within 30 working days of receipt of your appeal; this decision will be final.