Once the eligibility of the application is established,
applications will be assessed against the following criteria, which
are listed in priority order.
Those numbered 1-4 are considered core to any successful
application, and carry the greatest weight.
Those numbered 5-7 provide additional scoring.
1. Impact
Applications should demonstrate how the project will deliver
enhanced sporting opportunities in rural communities by
contributing to at least one of Sport England’s strategic outcomes,
as explained in the section of this prospectus on the vision and
aims of the programme Applications will need to be clear as
to both the nature and scale of their impact.
2. Value for money
Projects will be assessed on the basis of value for money in
terms of the number of people who will benefit. We will take into
account both the cost of the project as a whole, and the size of
the grant you are requesting from us. In your application you
should include an estimate of the number of people who will benefit
from your project.
3. Evidence
A sound evidence base must be provided for what you are
proposing, and the impact you anticipate it will have. We will
particularly favour applications which demonstrate they have
solicited the views and wishes of people who live in the rural
communities that will benefit from the proposed activity, and have
used that information to inform the design of their project.
4. Ability to deliver
Applications must demonstrate the ability to deliver the
project. This will include:
- Showing that the tasks and activities to deliver the outcomes
have been carefully thought through
- Setting realistic timescales
- Having regular, measurable milestones and deliverables in place
in order to track progress
- Identifying key risks and having plans in place to manage
them.
5. Innovation
Where innovation is involved, applications should demonstrate
how the project will deliver new solutions to issues encountered by
those who live in rural communities, and want to participate in
community sport.
6. Sustainability
Applications must provide information as to the maintenance and
success of the activity post investment.
7. Local relevance
Applicants will need to show how they have taken
into account the particular circumstances, barriers and
opportunities encountered by the relevant rural community.
Further guidance on how the criteria will be applied is included
in the guidance notes to the application form, which can be found
on our
online investment centre.