Green Initiatives Grant Programme

The Open Legacy fund

The Open generates up to £100 million of economic benefit for the region in which it is staged and ensures that the host venue is seen by hundreds of millions of television viewers around the world.  This coverage inspires many thousands of visitors to come to play the course and enjoy the local area in subsequent years.  The R&A fully recognises the importance of the communities which play host to the Championship and introduced The Open Legacy Fund as a vehicle for direct investment into the locality. 

The Open Legacy Fund provides £100,000 each year for sustainable development initiatives which enhance the local community and environment and deliver a long-lasting contribution to the area.  In recent years a wide range of initiatives in the towns which host the Championship have received funding and this reflects The R&A’s goal of supporting the enhancement and continuing prosperity of these communities.

The fund will be administered by Dover District Council and allocated as follows:

• £75,000 will be contributed to the restoration of the Sandwich Guildhall.  As a central feature of the community’s heritage and identity, the historic Guildhall was deemed a highly fitting avenue to receive legacy investment.
• £25,000 will be contributed to the Green Initiatives Grant Programme

The Green Initiatives Grant programme

The Green Initiatives Grant programme has been established by The R&A to support sustainability and climate change focused initiatives, which seek to enhance the local community and environment and deliver a long-lasting contribution to the area.

Dover District Council and Sandwich Town Council have also contributed to the fund: 

• The R&A: £25,000
• Dover District Council: £25,000
• Sandwich Town Council: £2,500
• Total fund: £52,500

Who can apply?

Not-for-profit organisations that are based in or have project activities based in the Sandwich Ward - map showing Sandwich Ward. 

Eligible organisations include:

• Schools
• Clubs
• Community Interest Companies
• Charities

What type of projects qualify?

The Green Initiatives Grant Programme has been established to support projects which are focused on sustainability and/or climate change. 

Three specific themes have been determined for requesting project proposals.  Applicants MUST address AT LEAST ONE of the following three themes.  The project does not have to address all three themes - it is better to address one really well.

Social - examples are projects which:

• support and encourage children and young people to explore and use creativity to improve communication
• address issues surrounding access for disabled and socially excluded people
• address isolation and inclusion
• are creatively designed, harnessing new technology to create greater cohesion in the community

Environmental - examples are projects which:

• support sustainable living
• promote sustainable food networks and sustainable farming
• create and promote opportunities to use sustainable transport solutions
• conserve and promote conservation of the natural environment and enhancement of biodiversity
• use and promote the use of renewable energy solutions
• seek to protect and enhance the coastal and marine ecosystems
• involve the protection and promotion of our historic environment and heritage

Health & Wellbeing - examples are projects which:

• create greater awareness of the benefits of physical activity on health and wellbeing
• encourage and promote healthier lifestyle choices and behaviour
• promote good mental health
• enable vulnerable people to live as independently and safely as possible with the support of their families, friends and communities
• address issues surrounding access for disabled and socially excluded people to participate in physical activity

How much can you apply for?

• You can apply for up to 100% of your project costs
• The minimum amount for an individual application is £1,000
• The maximum amount for an individual application is £15,000

The application process

We will ask you to:

• Provide answers to 8 questions (please download and complete this document)
  Each answer will be scored up to a maximum of 5 points (total 40 points). Applications must score 25 points or above to be shortlisted and considered for a grant award.
• Tell us the project costs and the amount of funding you are applying for
• Provide documents:
  • Evidence that you are a not-for-profit organisation, for example your constitution
  • Two quotes, where possible (we recognise that two quotes may not be possible for some specialist projects)
  • Public liability insurance 
  • Child Protection policy / Vulnerable Adults policy / DBS checks, where applicable
  • Previous year's accounts or, for new organisations, a recent bank statement
• Agree to the Terms and Conditions

The closing date for applications is midday Friday 21^st May.

Awarding the grants

• We will assess all applications for eligibility.
• Eligible projects will be scored and shortlisted by a panel.
• The shortlisted projects will then be reviewed and considered by the panel in order to arrive at a final decision as to which will be awarded funding.  Depending on the number, mix and quality of applications received, shortlisted applications may be invited to present their projects, ahead of a final selection being made.

• We will inform applicants of the outcome of their application. 
• Successful organisations will be paid by bank transfer.
• Projects are only to be delivered when Covid conditions allow and restrictions permit.
• All funding must be claimed by 31 March 2022.

How to apply

Our application process is online - the closing date for applications is midday Friday 21^st May.

 

 

Apply for The 149th Open Green Initiatives Grant Programme »

Questions

If there's anything you would like to know that we haven't covered please email golf.enquires@dover.gov.uk