Your questions answered
1. Who can apply?
See Eligibility and selection criteria.
We welcome applications from young people. Applicants under the age of 18 will require a consenting guardian to provide their details on the application.
Joint applications are also welcome that bring together more than one organisation.
However, a lead organisation should be identified in the application form.
2. Who can not apply?
We cannot accept applications from:
- sole traders
- organisations based outside the UK
- companies that can pay profits to directors, shareholders, or members (including companies limited by shares)
3. How many applications can one group or organisation submit?
Applications are limited to one per group or organisation. This is to ensure that the opportunity is available to a wide range of different groups. However, organisations can put forward applications to deliver activities across multiple areas, for example: a series of pop-up activities, scheduled to move from one town centre to another, over a programmed time period.
4. How much funding can a group or organisation apply for?
A group or organisation can apply for up to £5,000 per event.
5. What type of events are eligible?
We want to hear your ideas about the types of events the community would like to see on Ealing’s high streets and town centres.
You can discuss your ideas with us by requesting a meeting before submitting your application (see question 19). Examples of events and criteria can be found in the guidelines. Events must be free to attend.
6. What can the funding be used for?
The funding can be used to pay for:
- staffing
- volunteer expenses
- insurance and licenses
- equipment
- catering
- material costs (for example decoration, craft activities)
- promotion and communications
7. What can’t the funding be used for?
The funding cannot be used to pay for:
- alcohol
- gambling activity (see below)
- political or religious activities (we can fund religious organisations where the project benefits the wider community and does not include religious content)
- profit-making or fundraising activities
- general organisational running costs, including repairs and maintenance
- contingency costs, loans, endowments, or interest
- VAT you can reclaim
- statutory activities (such as activities you are required to deliver under legislation)
If tombola or raffle tickets are sold on the day and the prizes are not worth more than £500 in total, then this will be exempt from gambling regulations. Any proceeds from the tombola or raffle must go to a good cause such as a charity or even covering the cost of your event.
8. Will my event need a license or insurance?
This will depend on the event and the licenses and insurance held by the venue you are operating from. We encourage applicants to liaise with their proposed venue and to review the guidance. You can also speak to the team with any further queries (see question 19).
9. How many events or activities can I include in my application?
A single application may cover one or more events over a programmed period. For example, a group or individual may submit a single application for up to £5,000 per event to deliver three performance events across three different town centres.
10. When does my event need to be delivered?
All events must be delivered by March 2025.
11. When will the funding be paid?
We will award 80% of the funding (per event) once the grant agreement is signed by the applicant. The remaining 20% (per event) will be awarded once the event has been delivered and monitoring forms have been submitted and validated.
12. In addition to this grant, can I use other funding to contribute towards my event?
Yes. You can choose to raise additional funds or use existing funds to support your event.
13. Can applications be to deliver events that would otherwise have been delivered by a particular group in a particular area?
No. This funding is for the delivery of new events and cannot be used to fund existing events that would otherwise have taken place. For example, this funding could not be used to fund the Ealing Comedy Festival in Walpole Park, however a proposal to deliver a comedy event in a different high street or town centre area would be acceptable.
We also cannot fund events or activities that have already happened.
14. Is there detailed guidance on the cost plan?
15. Is there detailed guidance on the risk assessment?
Here is an example risk assessment
16. Can you provide detailed guidance on the monitoring forms?
Successful applicants will be required to report on the impact of their event by completing a short form within 6 weeks of their event being delivered. We will work with successful applicants to agree what should be reported on and how, as relevant to their activity. Here is an example monitoring form.
17. How will applications be assessed?
Applications that focus on one or more of the following objectives will be prioritised:
- encourage and increase community involvement on Ealing’s high streets and town centres
- bring together the community and increase high street and town centre footfall
- activate under used or vacant spaces
- bring together volunteers, including opportunities to learn new skills
Applications will be scored following the criteria.
18. Will feedback be provided so that unsuccessful proposals can be developed further for future grant opportunities?
Yes. All applicants will receive a response and short written feedback via email.
19. Will any assistance be given to those wishing to apply for a grant?
Yes. Please request a meeting by emailing HighStreetsTaskforce@ealing.gov.uk with the subject ‘UKSPF open call for high street events’. This meeting is an opportunity to discuss your project ideas and any queries you may have.
20. What happens after I apply?
A panel will review and consider all proposals and we will get back to all applicants with details of the outcomes on or before 21 March 2024.
Successful applicants will be issued with a short grant agreement to be signed before funding can be issued. Here is an example grant agreement.