CEF application

Name of Link Organisation: MERCi

Network: Manchester Progressive Enterprise Network

Geographic or Thematic priority area: Social Economy

Contact Name: Joanna Huddart

Contact Number: 0161 2731736 Fax Number: 0161 2744598

Contact Address: MERCi, Bridge 5 Mill, 22a Beswick Street

Ancoats, Manchester

Post Code: M4 7HR

Email Address: merci@gn.apc.org

Community Network for Manchester

Funding Application Form

Part 1: Network Details:

Introduction

In August 2001, a new MERCi project – the Community Enterprise initiative – began with a one day event of speakers and workshops to promote the social economy to voluntary, community and resident groups, and to encourage existing enterprises to develop closer relationships.

From this event at MERCi, a loose network was created, now formally known as MPEN (Manchester Progressive Enterprise Network). As no other such network exists in Manchester, the needs of those working within the sector represents a priority for future resources and funding.

In October 2001 MERCi was identified as the link organisation to develop a network for the “social economy” within the Community Network for Manchester. With a track record of bringing groups together from across the city and an innovative strategic approach, the development of MPEN reflects MERCi’s commitment to creating a more sustainable city.

MPEN VALUES

Manchester Progressive Enterprise Network (MPEN) is a diverse network of groups and individuals interested in developing the social economy in Manchester. Members work within an existing enterprise or are currently developing new businesses which address environmental, social or community needs. Members aspire to certain shared values; the statement below outlines the network's philosophy:

aspire for best ecological practice - minimising environmental impact and working to improve the environmental inheritance for future generations
strive for local community involvement & control
are accountable to others working within the social economy and specifically to MPEN members
address ecological, community and wider social needs above pure financial/commercial benefit
work with and support, communicate and share with other MPEN members
involve workers, customers, and other stakeholders to make their activities transparent and accountable
strive for progressive work practices like parental leave, job sharing, flexi-time etc.
commit resources and time to quality training and personal development of employees

Part 2: About Your Planned Activities

Please describe the activities you require funding for. For example you may wish to develop your network activities in line with your development plan or your network mobilization grant. Briefly list your activities. Please continue in Question 11 if necessary.

Development

To carry forward the suggestions made by the MPEN report (July 2002)
To work with the Steering Group on a funding strategy
Undertake research/consultation to respond according to the needs of members

Communication

To publicise the network and its activities through a variety of media
To continue the development of membership, with reference to the network’s inclusion strategy guidelines
To maintain the members’ database
To develop a monthly newsletter (paper and email bulletin)
To update the MPEN website and be involved with its development

Networking/partnerships

To continue mapping the network as it expands
To facilitate the exchange of information, ideas, best practice and case studies amongst members
To organise networking opportunities

To support the growth of partnerships and inter-trading
To identify the support/training/resource requirements of members and to work to serve such needs
To identify ways of promoting enterprise solutions across the city

New enterprises

To facilitate, in partnership with members and supporters, new and innovative goods/services
To promote the use and benefits of such enterprises to communities where applicable

CN4M, MERCi, Manchester LSP and CEF

To help select and support, when and where needed, network representatives for the CN4M strategy group, the LSP “economy” working group and other bodies
To communicate, as and when required, with CEF and Steering Group about the progress of the project
To work to develop structures that enable users to hold the network accountable and meeting their evolving needs
To carry out other tasks on the instructions of members which contribute to the development of the network

2. Do you need help to develop or deliver your activities? This may involve training job shadowing or one to one support. Please give details.

The CN4M can support MPEN in the following ways:

a) LSP thematic group meetings:

Post agendas, minutes and updates on CN4M website
Advertise any economic pool meetings (for representatives attending LSP meetings)
Offer support if required to representatives new to LSP process

b) To facilitate the new worker’s contact with other network co-ordinators

c) Help access training for new worker – facilitation, conflict resolution etc.

3. Tell us about the community who would benefit most from your planned activities.

MPEN aims to benefit a wide range of “communities” – be they thematically linked, geographically based or united by shared interests, such as:

Individuals, groups or organisations who are already working within the social economy in Manchester

b) Communities who may be interested in developing their own enterprise

solutions to address social, environmental or community needs

Other agencies or bodies (working with communities in Manchester) who may not have considered the enterprise route to tackling community, social or environmental needs

What difference do you think your activities will have on the community / network you talked about in question 3?

At present a network for community/social enterprise practioners does not exist in Manchester. A voice is needed for this sector.

This network will benefit those involved by:

Offering networking opportunities
Encouraging joint ventures
Problem solving through shared experiences
Resource pooling
Shared training days
Increasing the visability and value of the work of this sector
Input into local employment policy/economic planning via the LSP process
Building confidence
Securing funding for the future
Undertaking research to develop the sector
Defining & developing best practice
Capacity building communities to address needs and develop/sustain new initiatives or services

5. Outcomes.

An outcome is what you expect to happen as a result of your activity. For example, this may include details about the number of people now engaging with your network and the LSP process or the number of people or groups who have received training/support, and are participating in tackling issues of neighbourhood renewal and the development of local services.

Number of annual networking events or seminars: 4

Number of annual newsletters: 12

Number of new enterprises or projects developed annually: 4

Number of project ideas developed/promoted via LSP process: 4

Number of partnerships as a result of the network: 4

Number of annual members 2002/2003: 50

Number of new groups involved with network: 15

Number of annual training opportunities advertised to members: 12

LSP thematic working group for the “economy” – equal representation and fair participation established by December 2002

These figures will be discussed and agreed with the new worker to ensure they are deemed achievable and fair, hence such figures may be subject to variation

6. How will you know if your activities are meeting your expected outcomes? This will involve you providing some evidence during the monitoring phase, which illustrates these achievements. (See guideline point)

Agree targets (quantatative and qualitative) with Steering Group and worker

Monitor targets on a regular basis with Steering Group

Offer feedback on progress to CEF and CN4M

Maintain records of attendance at training days and events

Maintain minutes of meetings (LSP thematic working group, Steering Group etc.)

Ensure systems in place to maintain feedback of meetings

Information to be available electronically or by post

All relevant information and documents to be posted to MPEN and CN4M website

Directory of members

7. How much funding will you require? Please list your spend requirements under the following headings of acceptable spend.

BUDGET HEADING (SEE GUIDELINES)	AMOUNT
Salary (see note A)	£5775 (a+b) a) Wages 28 hours @ £7.50 £ £210.00 p/w 25 week contract £5250 b) Plus on costs 10% of wages £525
Consultant/advisor fees (see note B)	£2,500 (research into social economy in Manchester)
Rent/Room Hire	£100 (gas & electricity contributions) £300 (room hire for events and seminars)
Administration & management	£750 (4 hours per week @ £7.50 over 25 wks)
Stationery	£200
Postage	£400
Hospitality	£300 (for meetings, seminars and annual event)
Volunteers Expenses
Travel/transport costs	£300
Publicity material	£3100 (website: 700, postcard, leaflet & letterhead: 1000, directory: 500, newsletter: 500, translation of materials into other languages: 400)
Training	£600
Equipment (see note C)	£1500 (computer, printer and toner)
Child care costs	£200
Telephone expenses (see note D)	£400
Seminar/conferences	£550 (speakers, workshop trainers)
Assistant / carer allowances
	£16,975 (grand total)

(Under no circumstances will contingency payments be considered)

Evidence that you have spent in line with the information in the table above will need to be made available for inspection during the monitoring phase. Please tell us the name and address where all records will be held. You will also need to tell who payments are to be made payable to and provide evidence of the banking status. E.g. this could be a copy of a bank statement, letter from the bank with the network/organisation name etc.

MERCi

Bridge 5 Mill

22a Beswick Street

Ancoats Manchester

M4 7HR

0161 2731736

Payments made payable to: MERCi

Contact: Stuart Cooper (MERCi book keeper) 0161 2731736

Bank statement enclosed

9. If the above organization who holds monitoring records is different from your network, please tell us more about this organisation. For example, the partnership relationship between this organization and your network and their ability to provide financial management.

MERCi is the link organisation for MPEN and will be responsible for:

Financial management of the project

Housing the worker within the MERCi office

Providing facilities for the worker

Day to day management of the worker

However, overall aims, objectives and development of MPEN will be managed by the MPEN Steering Group, of which MERCi is a member.

10. Will you be working in partnership with other networks / organisations, and how will this make a difference to the outcomes of your activities.

MPEN has already worked in partnership with MEN (Manchester Environment Network) to produce joint research and organised a combined networking event. Although both networks will now employ separate workers, such partnership working may occur again in the future

MPEN seeks to engage with other networks within the CN4M to explore enterprise solutions to community, environmental or social issues

MPEN may also link into SESAN (Social Enterprise Support Agency Network), a newly formed network of enterprise support organisations in Manchester who can in the future provide expert advice if required for members free of charge

Is there any further information that you feel could support your application?

MPEN has the support of a number of established enterprises who will assist with the development of the network and the new worker, especially with continuation funding beyond March 2003.

Those participating in the Steering Group include the following:

Emerge Recycling
Ethical Junction
MERCi (Manchester Envrionmental Resource Centre Initiative)
SEDI (Social Economy Development Initiative)
Wesley Furniture Project

Part 3

Declaration

I confirm that the information enclosed and detailed in this application for Community Empowerment Fund is true and accurate, and if rewarded will be used soley on the activities listed above.

If for any reason I need to amend, change or modify this application I will seek the written consent and approval of the accountable body (Progress Trust) before undertaking any changes or amendments.

I agree to provide evidence of expenditure and outcomes, as and when requested to the accountable body (Progress Trust) and will ensure that all documentation is available for audit purposes at the location detailed in question 8.

I understand that all records relating to Community Empowerment Fund expenditure must be kept for at least 7 years after the completion of the Grant Activity.

Name: JOANNA HUDDART

Position in Network: CURRENT CO-ORDINATOR

Signature:

Date: 30/08/02

CEF Application Form April 2002