Community Participation Group ACT Women s Safety Grants Program. Guidelines. Applications close 5pm Friday 18 September 2015

Transcription

1 Community Participation Group ACT Women s Safety Grants Program Guidelines Applications close 5pm Friday 18 September 2015 Please read these guidelines carefully before completing your application online

2 Page 2 of 11 Contents 1. Introduction Aim Priority Areas Funding Categories Early Intervention Projects Engagement Projects Diverse Experiences of Violence Projects Available Funding Eligibility Requirements Organisation Eligibility Requirements Project Eligibility Requirements Obligations of Auspicing Body Exclusions On The Use Of Grant Funding Assessment of Applications Accepting a Grant Grant Requirements Acquittal/Reporting Requirements Insurance Important Information for Applicants Accessibility When to submit your application How to submit your application Addendum Confidentiality Complaints Further information... 11

3 Page 3 of 11 1 Introduction The Community Participation Group is pleased to announce the availability of the ACT Women s Safety Grants Program which is an ACT Government initiative to advance the objectives and priorities of the ACT Prevention of Violence against Women and Children Strategy (the Strategy). 2 Aim This Grant Program seeks applications for innovative programs and/or projects that target the objectives and priorities of the Strategy. The Strategy aims to involve the whole community in upholding and respecting the rights of women and children to live free from the fear and experience of violence. The Strategy outlines four primary objectives to address violence against women and children in the ACT: women and children are safe because an anti-violence culture exists in the ACT; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children are supported and safe in their communities; women and children s needs are met through joined up services and systems; and men who use violence are held accountable and supported to change their behaviour. A copy of the ACT Prevention of Violence against Women and Children Strategy can be found on the Women ACT website at: data/assets/pdf_file/0014/231341/act_prevention _of_violence_against_women_and_children_strategy_2011.pdf 3 Priority Areas Applications that demonstrate an active focus on the priorities of in the Strategy will be viewed favourably.

4 Page 4 of 11 4 Funding Categories Eligible organisations may submit only one (1) application under each of the following three (3) categories. If you are not sure where your idea fits and you wish to discuss your proposal please contact the ACT Office for Women during business hours on (02) or (02) or women@act.gov.au 4.1 Early Intervention Projects This category is for targeted early intervention programs or projects for children and young people at greater risk of becoming involved in domestic violence as adults, including children who have been exposed to domestic violence. 4.2 Engagement Projects This category is for projects or initiatives that engage with business, real estate/financial advisors and legal services to support women who have experienced domestic violence. It is targeted at women in the post crisis phase, who may be at risk of homelessness or facing ongoing abuse through property settlement, child custody or other legal/financial issues. 4.3 Diverse Experiences of Violence Projects This category is for projects, research or programs that target diverse experiences of violence such as such as newly arrived migrant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women with a disability and women from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex community. 5 Available Funding A total amount of $310,000 (GST exclusive) is available in the funding round across all funding categories. No minimum or maximum has been set on the amount of funding that can be applied for in this round. Grants are one-off for eligible programs/services of up to 12 months in duration and are not intended as a recurring funding source.

5 Page 5 of 11 6 Eligibility Requirements 6.1 Organisation Eligibility Requirements Only organisations that meet ALL the following eligibility requirements may apply: 1. be a non-government, incorporated entity that is not-for-profit; 2. have no overdue reporting obligations for any previous ACT Government grant including: evaluations, acquittal reports and audited financial statements; and Organisations that are not incorporated must be auspiced by an incorporated entity with an Australian Business Number (ABN). Only one application per eligible organisation is allowed. Individuals, profit making groups, government entities and registered political parties are not eligible to apply. 6.2 Project Eligibility Requirements Only projects that meet ALL the following eligibility requirements may apply: 1. Must achieve outcomes in line with the objectives of the ACT Prevention of Violence against Women and Children Strategy and/or the Second Implementation Plan of the Strategy; and 2. Occur primarily within the ACT. 6.3 Obligations of Auspicing Body The Auspicing Body will: 1. Be the applicant for this grant funding and if successful contract directly with the Community Services Directorate for the receipt of grant funding, and comply with all grant funding contractual obligations, including the provision of progress reports, final reports and financial acquittal documentation. 2. Be the entity that will accept the grant funding for the Project and administer the funding in accordance with the Grant Guidelines and Letter of Offer. 3. Disburse grant funding to the Auspiced Party in accordance with the Grant Guidelines and Letter of Offer and not unreasonably withhold funding from the Auspiced Party for the implementation of the Project. If you do not comply with the above eligibility requirements, your application will not be assessed for funding.

6 Page 6 of 11 7 Exclusions On The Use Of Grant Funding The following projects/activities will not be funded: 1. projects that do not contribute to the objectives and priorities of the Strategy; 2. projects that are a duplication of an existing service, program, project or event; 3. projects requiring ongoing funding to sustain the project or activity; 4. projects which include retrospective funding for activities that have already taken place; 5. projects where alternative funding is available; 6. projects which have a high component of administration costs (other than research); 7. salaries where the salary form part of the organisations/individual usual responsibility, including existing but unfunded staff positions; 8. purchase or lease of real estate; 9. activities for or by a political party 10. recurrent operating or maintenance costs for day-to-day operations of the organisation; 11. debt payment; 12. commitments such as contracts, hire purchases or rental agreements for any goods beyond the period funded; 13. travelling allowances; and 14. projects which are deemed to be inappropriate and offensive. 8 Assessment of Applications When your application is received, it will be checked against the ACT Women s Safety Grants Program Guidelines to ensure eligibility for funding. All eligible applications will then be provided to assessment panel members to be reviewed and rated. Applications will be assessed by a three member panel. Panel members will be appointed on their knowledge and experience of the impact of violence against women and children. The Panel will make their recommendation based on the information provided in the application. All eligible funding applications will be assessed against the following selection criteria:

7 Page 7 of Contribution to the Strategy. The extent that the proposal advances the objectives and priorities of the Strategy. 2. Capacity of the Organisation. The proposal demonstrates that the applicant organisation has the capacity to deliver the project and manage the funding. 3. Innovation. The extent to which the project demonstrates innovation and/or leverages other resources, including from the private sector. 4. Value for money. The budget is realistic and clearly details all expenditure for the project and demonstrates value for money. Recommendations for funding will then be made to the Minister for Women for final approval. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications in writing. Assessment decisions are usually notified within sixty (60) days of each funding ortunity closing. 9 Accepting a Grant 9.1 Grant Requirements 1. Successful applicants will be required to enter into an Agreement with the ACT Government setting out the terms and conditions for which funding will be provided, including acquittal requirements within the agreed timeframe. This Agreement will be a Letter of Offer or a Deed of Grant. 2. Funds may be spent only on items and activities specified in the Agreement. Any unspent funds must be returned to the Community Services Directorate. 3. Grant recipients must ensure that the assistance provided by the ACT Government is appropriately acknowledged in any promotional or other materials. ACT Government s Branding Guidelines and Supported By logo are accessible at: 4. If you wish to change your grant in any way, you must first obtain written permission from the Community Participation Group. 5. The names, project descriptions and funding amount of all successful applications will be posted on the Community Services Directorates website following the assessment process; by accepting a grant you agree to this requirement.

8 Page 8 of Acquittal/Reporting Requirements All successful applicants must expend the funds within the timeframes nominated in the Deed of Grant or Letter of Offer; this is normally twelve months after the receipt of funds or at the completion of the activity, whichever is sooner. An acquittal of the grant must be provided within 30 days of the completion of the grant activity, or by the date specified in the Letter of Offer, any unexpended funds are to be returned at the time of acquitting the grant. An acquittal form and reporting form (if required) will be supplied to successful applicants with their Agreement. We require you to keep ALL receipts and submit them with your acquittal form. Please note: To be eligible for funding in future grants rounds, applicants must meet all acquittal and reporting requirements. 9.3 Insurance For many projects the organisation must carry at least $10 million in Public Liability Insurance. The requirement to have insurance and the level required is determined by an assessment of the risks and liabilities of the proposal. Usually low risk proposals are not required to have additional insurance. Applicants will be asked to provide a copy of their insurance with the application form. Successful applicants will be notified in their Letter of Offer if additional insurance is required. 10 Important Information for Applicants 10.1 Accessibility The ACT Government is committed to making its information, services, events and venues, accessible to as many people as possible. If you have difficulty reading a standard printed document and would like to receive this publication in an alternative format such as large print or audio please telephone (02) If English is not your first language and you require the translating and interpreting services please telephone If you are deaf or hearing impaired and require the TTY typewriter service please telephone (02)

9 Page 9 of When to submit your application Applications open 5pm, Monday, 10 August Applications close 5pm, Friday, 18 September Applications received after 5pm, Monday, 18 September 2015, will not be accepted How to submit your application All applications must be submitted via the online ACT Women s Safety Grants Application Form at: ssafteygrantsprogram Hardcopy or applications will not be accepted. If you are having any difficulty in accessing the Application Form please contact the ACT Women s Safety Grants, Program Officer for assistance. You will need to create a log in to begin your application and you may begin anywhere in the Application Form. Please ensure you save as you go. If an error occurs, please contact the Community Services Directorate Contracts and Grant Unit on (02) during business hours, or DHCSContractsandGrants@act.gov.au and quote your application number. Navigating (moving through) the application form On the right hand side of every screen, there is a box which links directly to every page of the application. Click on any page to jump directly to that page. You can also click 'next page' or 'previous page' on the top or bottom of each page to move forward or backward through the application. Saving your draft application and returning You can press 'save' at any point and log out. When you log back in, your draft application will be saved and you can start where you left off. Submitting your application The submit button is on the final page. You will not be able to submit your application until all the questions are completed. Attachments and support documents You may wish to upload/submit attachments to support your application. This is very simple, but requires you to have the documents saved on your computer, on a zip drive, or similar. If you are not able to upload a document, please contact the Program Officer for support.

10 Page 10 of 11 Completing an application in a group/team A number of people can work on an application using the same log in details provided that only one person is working on the application at any given time. Ensure you save as you go. Once you have completed your application it will be submitted to the Program Officer. NOTE: The Program Officer is unable to view your application until it is submitted. ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH THE GRANT APPLICATION. If your application does not include all required documentation, such as quotes it may be deemed ineligible. You can upload supporting documentation to your application on the page after the declaration and privacy statement. Smarty Grants provides an online help guide for applicants. This guide will explain the essential steps you need to take to complete and submit your form. The help guide is accessible at: Addendum Any additional information provided by the Community Services Directorate as part of this grant program will be posted online at: In addition all applicants that have started or submitted an online application from will be notified by to the address that was registered with Smarty Grants Confidentiality All material submitted to the Office for Women is provided in confidence. However, the ACT Government may promote successful applicants for the mutual benefit of the Women s Safety Grants Program and the applicant. Details of applications will not be made available to third parties without permission Complaints What you can expect A complaint is defined as an expression of dissatisfaction in relation to the application process and/or an unsuccessful application for a grant.

11 Page 11 of 11 You or your representatives have the right to raise your concerns. This information supports us to improve services and supports your right to ask questions about the grant application process as well as decisions made in relation to an unsuccessful application. You can expect to: 1. be treated respectfully, fairly and in confidence; 2. have your concerns dealt with as soon as possible; 3. be informed of progress; and 4. be told of the outcome. 11 Further information For more information please contact Ms Jane Roderick or Michelle Bamford from the ACT Office for Women during business hours on (02) or (02) or Further information and updates can also be found at the ACT Office for Women website For assistance with submitting an application through the SmartyGrants system please contact Mr Jeremy Chalmers from the Community Service Directorate s Contract and Grants Unit on (02) or DHCSContractsandGrants@act.gov.au.