Part D: Advocacy Grants Scheme for community and voluntary organisations providing advocacy services to people with disabilities
Scope, aims and objectives
The Advocacy Grants Scheme for community and voluntary organisations was initiated in 2005 for the provision of advocacy services to people with disabilities. These services are likely to complement the personal advocacy service to be developed by Comhairle as set out in the Comhairle Amendment Bill 2004 and described in the Comhairle publication, Developing an Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities.
2005 Scheme
The funding provided for the service in 2005 was for a period of not less than two years. The amount provided to a project was not more than €70,000 per year for a two-year period or a total of €140,000 In 2005 decisions on projects to be funded were made in September 2005 with services being initiated in the last quarter of 2005. A list of the projects funded is on the Comhairle website.
Criteria
The emphasis of this initiative in 2005 was on representative advocacy, i.e. a service that would provide a trained advocate to assist vulnerable people with a disability in addressing their individual needs and options. (This emphasis may change from year to year.)
The overall focus of the advocacy service is to work with people with disabilities who are vulnerable. Particular target groups in 2005:
- people living in the community seeking a social service
- people in, or wishing to move from, long-term residential services and
- young people completing their education
Funding will not be available retrospectively.
Who may apply
A call for expressions of interest is advertised in the national media. All organisations which send expressions of interest are invited to attend an information briefing where Comhairle explains in detail the criteria under which funding will be allocated. Organisations which have submitted an expression of interest are then invited to apply by filling out an application form.
Organisations representing people with disabilities and service providers from the voluntary sector are eligible for funding. Applications from partnership groupings are also welcome and in this case a statutory body could be one of the partners.
Information required of applicant organisations
Applicants must provide information about their aims and activities, show how they meet the requirements set out in the criteria, provide information on the overall financing of the proposed project. Projects are also asked to describe:
- the target customer group
- the type of advocacy project proposed
- a description of the organisation
- the organisation's capacity to provide an independent service
- any proposed partnership arrangements
- the organisation's willingness to participate in an evaluation process
How decisions are made
Proposed projects are assessed by an assessment panel in accordance with the set criteria and recommendations are made to the Board on the basis of this assessment. In arriving at a final selection, consideration is given to factors such as the project type and target group, the national/local dimension and the geographical distribution.
Communications with applicants
All applications are acknowledged promptly. Decisions are usually approved by the Comhairle Board and applicants are then informed of the decision, in writing. Successful applicants are required to submit a current tax clearance certificate.
Information on grants and application forms are available from:
(As this is an annual scheme, advertised in the national press each year, there is a defined application period).
Administrator,
Development and Social Policy Service
Completed forms are sent to:
Senior Manager Development and Support,
Comhairle
Ground Floor, George's Quay House
43 Townsend St
Dublin 2.
Tel: 01 605 9000
E-mail:comhairle@comhairle.ie
