What is the aim of the AWS InCommunities Open Grant Fund?

The aim of the AWS InCommunities Open Grant Fund is to support existing groups and individuals (once they form a team) to start or expand an existing project, with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life for communities. All projects must meet the criteria outlined in the following section. Applications will be assessed and scored based on the criteria below, and on the proposed positive impact it will have in its local community.

All projects should be managed in an inclusive and welcoming manner and any events organised as part of your project should comply with any relevant public health guidance.

Criteria 

The following criteria must be met by all applicants:

• The project must address at least one of the following themes: Environmental Sustainability, Future Workforce Development, STEAM, Community Prosperity, Inclusion, Diversity & Equity, or Health & Wellbeing

• Projects must take place in Ireland.

• Applicants must have been recommended to apply to AWS

• If applying for a grant greater than €6,000, the applicant must be a registered charity in Ireland (CHY and RCN numbers will need to be provided).

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old or have the permission of a guardian to apply for funding.

Opening date

The challenge opens for applications on September 29th 2022. Applications will be assessed and allocated funding on an ongoing basis. Applicants will be notified within one month of their application date as to whether they have been successful or not.  

What can the funding be used for?

The AWS InCommunities Open Grant Fund can be used to cover direct costs relating to the set-up or maintenance of the new or existing project. For example, funds can be used for space rental, insurance fees, seeds and planting materials, tools, training fees; or any materials you might need for a project that benefits your community. 

What can the funding not be used for? 

Funds may not be used to promote or engage in criminal acts of violence, terrorism, hate crimes, the destruction of any state, or discrimination on the basis of race, religion, national origin, military and veteran status, disability, sex, age, gender identity or sexual orientation, or support of any entity that engages in these activities.

The fund cannot be used to cover costs of work that has already been carried out and can’t be used for anything that is not related to the set up and maintenance of the new or existing community project. It cannot be used to cover the promotion of religious causes, non-charitable activities, sponsorship or fundraising events, however, in some cases, can be used to fund projects led by places of worship, where they play a key role in community cohesion or development, for example, capital projects i.e. repair or maintenance of buildings etc. Funds cannot be used as payment to group members for their work on the project.

Reporting Requirements and Funding 

In return for any funding you may receive, you are required to share the outcomes of your new project with ChangeX and AWS.

The funding allocated to your new project is divided into two stages. The first payment (70% of total funding amount) can be accessed once your application is approved. The second payment (30% of total funding amount) will be issued to you after you have completed an impact survey demonstrating the outcomes of your project and shared photos and a narrative description of the activities carried out. 

It is very important that you keep all receipts and records of how any funding you might receive is spent. If receipts cannot be shown, or the funds are found to have been spent on costs other than those relating to the set-up or maintenance of the new or existing community project, no further funds will be allocated to this project and ChangeX reserves the right to retrieve the funds that have already been distributed. The applicant will be indefinitely ineligible to apply for any subsequent grants through ChangeX.

Multiple applications

Each individual is only eligible to submit one application to receive funding. Multiple applications from the same individual will result in disqualification from entry. Existing community groups can submit up to three applications for funding, for different projects. Projects taking place at the same location must be different and complementary.

Family

Family and close contacts of ChangeX employees or of AWS are not eligible to apply for funding.

Accessibility

If you require any additional support to complete the application process or access resources please contact [email protected] and we will do everything in our power to help.

Where is this funding coming from?

This fund is sponsored by AWS. ChangeX is solely responsible for the management of the fund, including the selection of applicants, starter support, fund distribution and impact tracking.

Sharing your project with media or on social 

We encourage you to share news about your community project through your local media or on social media in order to find people to join and support your project, or just to share some positive news with your wider community. When talking to media, we kindly ask you to mention the source of the funding for your project. For example, you can say: “The project received funding through the AWS InCommunities Open Grant Fund - Ireland, run by ChangeX.” OR “The project has been made possible thanks to funding from AWS and support from ChangeX.” On social media, please use the following hashtag when announcing your project: #AWSInCommunities