Union Learning Fund (England): Funding Available Now!

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Letter to Branches




No. 440/12
Ref
Date: 6 June 2012


To: All Branches & ULRs



Dear Colleague,

Union Learning Fund (England): Funding Available Now!

Overview

As part of the CWU's Union Learning Funding, and for a limited time, we are able to offer funding to assist branches who wish to set up or enhance their branch learning structures. This funding can be used on capital spend items (such as IT hardware / software etc.). This amount of funding is limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis to those bids matching the criteria.

Unfortunately, due to the funding bodies’ boundaries we are only able to use Sustainability Funding for English projects at present. We are looking into alternatives for the longer term.

Can it help your project?

As the name suggests this funding has to be used to promote the long-term sustainability of the project. If you think that your branch might benefit from such funding then you need to apply to the Education & Training Dept on the attached application form. Please be aware we have an obligation to use this funding wisely and will be asking for a clear plan as to how any funding awarded would support the long-term sustainability of your project. The E&T Dept will be happy to assist you in producing your bid.

What should a bid consist of?

Obviously, as projects are encouraged to develop to suit the needs of their location and membership, no two bids will be exactly the same. However, there are some key elements that we would expect to see:

A brief outline of the project to date
Partners involved and their contribution to date
The resources the project currently has
The additional resources that are required
What attempts have already been made to source these items
A costing of the items in question
Other sources of funding, resources or support that might be levered in through the use of sustainability funding - the value of this is expected to match the amount being bid for
How the requested funding will form part of a wider sustainability strategy

What should be included in a sustainability strategy?

Once again, this will need to be tailored to your particular project – but we would expect consideration to be given to the following:

Branch support – such as a Branch ULR network
Active contribution of ULRs to the democratic structures of the branch
ULR recruitment, training and succession programme – as a stainable project needs sufficient numbers of ULRs trained to promote and support learning across the branch area
Makes learning available to all its members and activists
Good quality learner support structures with clear provisions for equality and diversity, learner feedback and learning and development pathways
The availability of a range of formal and informal learning opportunities, through colleges, ULR supported learning, e-learning, community learning etc.
How the requested funding will assist in making the project sustainable

Further information, advice and model processes are available through the Education & Training Dept.

You should also include a timetable of key milestones; commitments that will serve as a guide to the projects progress.

Where do I send it?

Once your bid has been completed send it to:

CWU Education & Training Dept,
150 The Broadway,
Wimbledon,
London,
SW19 1RX

Or email to learn@cwu.org

What happens then?
We will contact you with any points we need clarifying and seek to reach an agreement on the funding to support your sustainability strategy.

Best wishes,



Trish Lavelle
Head of Education and Training
(no attachment on this copy)

[DGP1]

England this, London that.............does begin to make you feel like a second class citizen

[Red Robbo]

I am sorry to say but when you sign up to these Union Learning Course's it's like being back at school

[DAF85]

All of the above sounds like wonderful platitudes to the cause...............

It would be nice if the Union Learning Reps actually got some agreed time off duty to actually help with the equipment that is already there