Introduction
These terms of reference set out the conditions under which funding is offered through the marine communities fund. We strongly advise that you read them in conjunction with frequently asked questions before making your application.
Aims
The Crown Estate’s marine communities fund was established in 1999 to provide support to initiatives and programmes which contribute to the development of best practice, and make a significant contribution to the good management and stewardship of the marine estate. The fund also supports projects raising awareness and involving coastal communities in the benefits of offshore renewable energy in the UK.
To date the fund (through the precursor and related marine stewardship and communities and renewables funds) has provided nearly £2m to projects around the UK.
Terms of Reference
1. Projects supported by the fund must be related to Crown Estate land, either by demonstrating good management of a particular Crown Estate property, or enhancing stewardship of The Crown Estate foreshore and seabed by furthering best practice in coastal and marine management.
2. Project proposals need to indicate how they will have lasting benefit for Crown Estate assets or how they will promote marine renewable energy at a local level, how this will be achieved, project outcomes and how the project will be publicised and evaluated.
3. Funding may be awarded for one-off projects or for projects phased up to a maximum of three years. Funds of up to 100% may be made towards revenue, capital or project expenditure projects that demonstrate a partnership approach.
4. The fund is administered by the policy, science & sustainable development team, under the direction of the Head of Policy & Sustainable Development.
5. Applications for funding should be made on a completed application form. Applicants requiring funding of £10,000 or less should complete a ‘small project application form’ or those seeking £10,000 or more should complete a ‘large project application form’. PDF copies of the application forms can be downloaded from the marine communities fund page. At the end of each form are instructions for where to send the completed application.
6. Applications for funding are welcomed from community groups or voluntary and other organisations, but funding from The Crown Estate is not intended to replace statutory funding.
7. Applications will not be considered for projects offering either commercial gain or which accrue personal financial benefit to the applicant.
8. Any application for support for funding must not be duplicated through any other parts of our wider marine stewardship.
9. Previous recipients of grants from the marine stewardship fund may reapply for funding providing the original projects have been satisfactorily completed and evaluated.
10. Applications can be submitted by post or email. Upon receipt of your application an acknowledgement will be sent together with an indication of when you can expect to hear a decision on your application.
11. Projects for financial year 2008/09 will be considered by the assessment panel meeting which will take place in November 2007 with a deadline for applications on Thursday 25 October 2007. We can receive project applications any time before the deadline. Please note that the following deadline for applications will be in June 2008.
12. Project applications are put forward to the assessment panel which is formed of the Head of Coastal Operations and the Head of Policy & Sustainable Development. Final approval of the marine stewardship award is made by the Director of the Marine Estate and the Head of Legal Services. The panel can approve funding up to £10,000. For funding greater than £10,000, approval will be at the discretion of the Chief Executive of The Crown Estate, the Director of the Marine Estate and Head of Legal Services.
13. If your application to marine stewardship is successful we will send you an offer letter setting out the terms and conditions of your grant including any special conditions of award, your project milestones, payment arrangements, publicity and acknowledgement details, evaluation and reporting requirements.
14. Unsuccessful applicants will be informed in writing. The decision of the Assessment Panel is final.
15. At various times during the project the named contact will be asked to complete an evaluation form and if the project runs over a longer period than one year an interim evaluation form on each anniversary of the offer of the grant.
16. As an integral part of the evaluation process the named contact will also be required to submit a report including the results of the evaluation on completion of the project and if the project runs over a longer period than one year an interim report on each anniversary of the offer of the grant.
17. Any publicity relating to a funded project must acknowledge the contribution of The Crown Estate and be approved by the policy, science & sustainable development team and the Communications Department.
18. Successful projects will be required to provide photographs, written summaries and quotes relating to their project. These will be used in our annual report, for our website and any publicity and promotional work deemed appropriate by us. We may also request opportunities to visit your project at a time suitable for both parties.
19. The policy, science & sustainable development team will keep the named contact for each funded project updated on other marine stewardship projects by way of Crown Estate publications. Please visit our case studies page.
20. The policy, science & sustainable development team will produce an annual report on projects funded by the programme for the Director of the Marine Estate, and other reports and documentation as required by The Crown Estate marine stewardship strategy group.
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