Evaluation of the Consensual Model of Community Funding

Derry City and Strabane District Council

Derry City and Strabane District Council is undertaking an evaluation of the consensual grant making approach which was piloted this year for 2024 - 2025, following the delivery of the consensual funding aligned to community planning since 2019. The consensual model engaged Local Growth Partnerships across the Council area in identifying funding priorities for the allocation and management of a range of community funding sources including:

Good Relations funding
PCSP funding
Consensual funds (aligned to Local Community Planning)
Community Support Programme (CSP)

A total of £584,000 has been invested this year across the Council area to date supporting a range of community services and programmes using these funding sources.

The consensual model aims to empower local communities to make decisions on how and where this funding should be invested using their local knowledge of community needs and priorities, whilst addressing actions within Strategic Growth Plan and Local Community Plans.

Funding is allocated to each District Electoral Area via Local Growth Partnership Boards. These Partnership Boards have worked with communities to identify investment priorities through a range of activities, including:
- requests for expressions of interest from community organisations
- networking conversations
- open community meetings
- reviewing previous beneficiaries of the funding programmes

The Lead Partners nominated by the Partnerships have been responsible for ensuring funded programmes are implemented and accounted for.

We want to know whether the consensual approach should be adopted in the longer term and, if so, whether there are changes needed to make it more effective.

The alternative is to revert back to a centrally managed grant process managed by Council via open call for applications on a District wide basis.

Please tell us your thoughts and inform our decision.

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* 1. Which District Electoral Area do you live in?

Ballyarnett

Derg

Faughan

Foyleside

Moor

Sperrin

Strabane

Waterside

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* 2. Are you responding as?

Individual resident within the Council area

Representative of a community organisation

Member of a Local Growth Partnership

Elected Representative

DCSDC Staff Member

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* 3. If you are responding as a representative of a community organisation, has your community group previously received funding from DCSDC and, if so, from which fund?

Yes

Not sure

Please specify the fund that you have received funding from.

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* 4. Which of the following funding models do you prefer as a mechanism to support community activities and services?

Consensual funding model involving local decision making managed by Local Growth Partnerships

Open call grant application process managed by Council

Other (please specify)

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* 5. What do you like most about the consensual model approach? (please tick any that apply)

Local knowledge used to inform investment priorities

Addressing local identified needs through collaboration and co-operation

Funding allocation and delivery specific to the geographical area

Opportunities to discuss community needs at local level

Opportunities to ensure funded initiatives are complementary to each other

Reduced form filling and bureaucracy

Opportunities for small community groups to become involved and secure funding support

Lack of competitive grant application process

Opportunity to ensure services are spread geographically

Opportunity to manage the combination of funds as a single / coordinated funding pot

Reduces potential of duplication of funding and programmes in areas

Other (please specify)

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* 6. What challenges are presented by the consensual model approach? (please tick any that apply)

Difficulties in getting community agreement on priorities

Lack of independence in decision making on funding priorities

Financial / organisational capacity expected of community structures in managing funding

Type of programmes / activities funded not representative of needs

Lack of awareness on how to use the model to secure funding

Opportunity to secure funding for Council wide / strategic programmes

Consistency of approach across different District Electoral Areas

Time provided to DEAs to develop funding action plans

Cash flow issues for local delivery

Other (please specify)

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* 7. Do you want the consensual model approach adopted in future years?

Yes

Not sure

Please offer a reason for your answer

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* 8. If the consensual model was adopted for future years what changes would you like to see to make it better? (please tick any that apply)

Greater awareness of how to engage in the process

Better lead in time for preparation of local funding action plans

Greater consistency in approach to action plan development between District Electoral Areas

Greater clarity at local (DEA) level on agreed funding priorities

Increased funding / additional funding options combined with funds already secured

Reduced reliance on volunteer management

Options for funding of strategic District wide services / programmes

Enhanced clarity on roles and responsibilities between Local Partnerships and Council

Adoption of a multi-annual approach to funding (e.g. development of 2-3 year action plans)

Other (please specify)

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* 9. Do you have any other comments on the mechanisms for funding community activities and services?

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* 10. Do you identify with any of the following religions?

Roman Catholic

Protestant

Judaism

Islam

Hinduism

Buddhism

Inter / non-denominational

Atheist

Prefer not to answer

Other (please specify)