Town Improvement Grant Scheme
1. Introduction
The Aldeburgh Society's Town Improvement Grant scheme (TIG) aims to enhance the appearance and vitality of our town by providing financial support to individuals, community groups, and businesses for small projects that contribute to the overall improvement of the town's aesthetics. This scheme is designed to promote community involvement and foster a sense of pride and ownership within the community.
2. Objectives
The primary objectives of the Town Improvement Grants scheme are as follows:
- To enhance the visual appeal and attractiveness of the town.
- To encourage community engagement and collaboration.
- To foster a sense of civic pride and ownership.
3. Eligibility and Funding
Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria to be considered for a Town Improvement Grant:
3.1. Residency: Applicants must reside within the town or operate a business located within the town's boundaries.
3.2. Project Purpose: The project must have a clear and direct impact on improving the town's appearance, such as beautification, public art, landscaping, or architectural enhancements.
3.3. Grant Amount: Grants of up to a maximum of £500 can be awarded per eligible project. Multiple projects may be funded, but each project must meet the eligibility criteria independently. The Society has allocated a budget for each financial year and when this is exhausted no grants will be awarded until the following year.
3.4. Funding Restrictions: The grant cannot be used for projects that are primarily maintenance or routine upkeep.
4. Application Process
4.1. Application Form: Applicants must complete the official TIG application form, which is below on this page or can be accessed separately HERE.
4.2. Project Proposal: Applicants must provide a detailed project proposal, including project objectives, scope, budget, timeline, and expected outcomes.
4.3. Supporting Documents: Any additional documents or supporting materials relevant to the project proposal should be included with the application.
5. Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
5.1. Relevance: The project's alignment with the objectives of the Town Improvement Grants scheme.
5.2. Impact: The potential positive impact of the project on the town's appearance and community well-being.
5.3. Feasibility: The feasibility of the project, including the budget, timeline, and available resources.
5.4. Community Involvement: The level of community involvement and support for the project.
6. Selection and Award
6.1. A selection committee, consisting of representatives from the Aldeburgh Society Committee will review and evaluate all eligible applications.
6.2. Grants will be awarded based on the merit of the applications and available funds.
6.3. Successful applicants will be notified in writing/email and provided with instructions on the disbursement of funds.
7. Project Completion and Reporting
7.1. Grant recipients are required to complete their projects within the agreed-upon timeline and budget.
7.2. Upon project completion, recipients must submit a final report detailing project outcomes, including before-and-after photographs.
8. Accountability and Monitoring
The Town Improvement Grants scheme will be monitored for compliance with the grant guidelines, and recipients may be subject to periodic audits.
9. Publicity
Successful grant recipients will be required to acknowledge the support of the Town Improvement Grants scheme in project-related publicity and communications and permit the Aldeburgh Society to put appropriate publicity on its website and in its promotional material.