LDA Small Grant Scheme: Sustainable Food for London

The £70,000 London Development Agency (LDA) Small Grant Scheme: Sustainable Food for London, will be distributed in two rounds, to businesses, community organisations and other groups in London who demonstrate that they can best meet the funding criteria (see below).

It is intended that the grants will be used to support a variety of events, hosted by a diverse range of organisations. We estimate that the average grant allocation will be between £2,000 and £3,000.

Purpose of grant

The purpose of the grants is to provide an easily-accessible source of funding to:

• help people to run new sustainable food events;
• add a sustainable food element to an existing event or;
• raise awareness of sustainable food in a specific organisation or community

All events-related activities that promote the messages of sustainable food to beneficiaries in London shall be considered.

All projects should aim to promote the objectives of the London Food Strategy. You are advised to familiarise yourself with the aims of the Strategy.

Who can apply?

Anyone can apply so long as the grant can be paid into the bank account of a constituted organisation and provided that the funds do not replace existing or statutory funding.

Grants may not be used for personal gain or solely to make a profit for your organisation.

Applicants can be new or established community-led groups or businesses. That could mean charities, allotment associations, business associations, schools, food access groups, or LA21 groups.

All applicant groups must be based in Greater London and their application should be used to support sustainable food at an event that promotes environmental, health, social or economic benefits.

If your organisation is based outside London but your event will benefit people or organisations within London we may still be able to fund the project. You are advised to contact London Food Link before applying.

Large businesses, local authorities, Primary Care Trusts, and other statutory bodies may also apply, but these organisations must be able to match-fund the LDA grant.

All applications must:

• Demonstrate value for money
• Adhere to the Equalities Policy of the LDA
• Promote one or more of the objectives of the London Food Strategy
• Benefit people in London
• Preference will be given to event that will appeal to, or involve, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities

What can be funded?

Examples of eligible projects include:

• A local food event showcasing food manufacturers who support the principles of sustainable food;
• Holding a sustainable food stall at an existing public event;
• An event linking local shops with local producers;
• Help with publicity for a community food event;
• Or… horticultural schemes, farm visits, training for food access volunteers or starting a healthy eating tuck shop.

All ideas and events will be considered. The grant should support a discrete piece of work, rather than just going into a general pot. We particularly encourage applications for free events that are open to the public.

How much can you apply for?

Minimum grants: £500
Maximum grants: £5,000

Timetable

Funded activities may begin as soon as round one closes on 3 March 2008, and all applicants must be able to complete their event and submit their end of project report no later than 5pm on 31 August 2008.

All events and reports must be carried out by 31 August 2008 unless by prior arrangement.

Assessing the applications

The assessment procedure for applications will be fair, transparent and equitable. We hope to award grants to a broad spectrum of events and each application will be assessed internally and then sent to an external assessor (along with the internal assessor’s comments) for a second opinion.

The final grant award will then be the decision of the London Development Agency and their decision is final. The Grant Officer shall not contribute to assessment process and is thus available to advise applicants at any stage.

How to apply

The fund is being administered on our behalf by London Food Link. Application forms and additional information is available to download from the London Food Link website.

A dedicated Grant Officer will be available at London Food Link to answer your enquiries and to offer help at any stage of your application. For further information, or with enquiries, please contact Charlie Willsmore: smallgrants@sustainweb.org or call 020 7837 1228.