The Application Process

We have a two stage application process designed to minimise the need for unnecessary work whilst you’re applying.   We are more than happy to discuss your project with you, comment on draft application forms or do whatever we can to support your application – we’re just a phone call away! The first step is to have a chat with us about your project to see whether it fits the criteria and is worth you applying.  You will then fill in a First Stage Application form for the Local Action Group (LAG), send it to us and we will submit your project to the first available LAG meeting.  The calendar of our meetings can be found here

At the meeting you’ll have 5 minutes to make a presentation and answer questions about your application. The LAG will then assess your project against a series of criteria and include any comments they might have to support your application. If your project is approved by the LAG we will provide you with their comments and assessment scores so you can see the strengths and weaknesses of your application.  You can then move on to complete the Main Application form – this is based on the First Stage form with some additional sections, but requires more in depth detail of what you are proposing.  Again we’re always on hand for any help you need completing the form!

Once you have submitted a final version to us it goes for independent appraisal by three members of our appraisal team.  We then send all the LAG scores and comments, the appraisal teams recommendations, and your application form with any supporting documents you’ve given us to the LAG Executive members; they then assess all this information, discuss your project at the next available meeting and make a final decision on whether it should receive support from Sowing SEEDS.

Then a few bits of paperwork to tie up and things to sign, and your project can start!  We will be there supporting you through the lifetime of your project so it doesn’t matter whether you’ve had grant funding before or are a complete novice – we’ll provide as much help as you need to make sure your project is a success!                                Go on, give it a try – you know you want to!