Building on an understanding of ‘what works’ in the development of essential digital skills, the seventh round of the Digital Participation Fund will be focussed on two specific themes:
- Supporting
working age people to increase financial capability, employment and other economic outcomes - Supporting older and disabled people to reduce social isolation and loneliness
Priority will be focussed in two areas
- Projects which can demonstrate a track record of working with individuals who are facing issues such as poverty, social isolation and other forms of inequality.
- Projects where digital skills activity for their service users are embedded in the organisation’s day-to-day activity.
Over previous rounds we have received a good mix of both ‘hyper-local’ and ‘wider reach’ projects. ‘Hyper-local’ we would define as those led by a single organisation, without strong links to other organisations and/or happening in a single venue e.g. community hubs, particularly in remote and rural areas. Wider reach we would view as national initiatives or partnerships which are trying to drive a change management programme of works on essential digital skills.
The application process consists of one online form that must be fully completed before your application will be assessed. All applicants must be signed up to the Digital Participation Charter and be able to demonstrate their commitment through their proposed project. We will be unable to accept applications from organisations not already registered with the scheme so please bear that in mind when planning out your submission timetable.
Timeline
| Milestone | Date |
| 30th January | |
| Fund closes for applications | 30th April (noon) |
| Any application queries addressed, applications prepared for assessment | 1st May – by 10th May |
| Applications assessed by the Digital team & formal portfolio recommendations made | 13th May – 10th June |
| Final portfolio approval | 18th June |
| All applicants notified of the outcome of their application | By 20th June |
| Contract documentation sent out | 20th June |
| Contracts returned by | 4th July |
| Project Inception meeting for successful projects (Edinburgh) | 30th July |
| First project start date | 1st August |
If you are successful, you will have some key obligations as part of the Contract.
- Attendance at the Project Inception meeting which will take place 30th July 2019
- The provision of regular progress updates to your project’s individual record within the SCVO Digital website (supported by the Digital Team)
- A commitment to measuring the progress of your project beneficiaries by guiding them through an assessment of their Essential Digital Skills at the beginning and end of their engagement
