Projects’ Day

1. Projects’ Day 1st July 2010

2. Aims of the day • To inspire participants to get more involved in WEA project work • To demonstrate the benefits of project work to learners, staff and to the WEA as a whole • To provide practical advice and support to those wishing to set-up educational projects

3. Content of the day • Provide information about current projects • Show practical ways to get involved • Tips on how to develop project ideas • How to research funding opportunities • How to develop project budgets • Pointers on managing projects • Monitoring and evaluating projects • Promotion and evidence of impact

4. Diversifying income project Training on bid-writing to field staff teams in each sub-region of Yorkshire & Humber • Field staff teams in North, South and West Yorkshire received briefings about project opportunities. • In-depth support on bid-writing and project development provided to organisers and regional managers. • Support provided in proof-reading and checking funding applications

5. Headline target An initial indicative target of a 5% increase in non-LSC funding during the life of the project was proposed. Information from the Regional Financial Statements shows that the increase in 2008-09 was 0.33 – 0.34%. However, the project began in month 6 of the financial year so greater impact is expected in 2009-10

6. Vision and mission • VisionOur vision is to be the recognised voice of adult learners, and the leading provider of adult and community learning in the UK by any standard. • MissionThe WEA is a 21st Century, democratic, voluntary adult education movement, committed to widening participation and to enabling people to realise their full potential through learning.

7. Aims To involve learners, volunteers, members and other partners in: • Influencing and campaigning on behalf of adult learners • Removing barriers to learning • Being responsive in the heart of communities • Making the most effective use of all our resources • Promoting learning for life • Changing and enriching lives through learning – at individual and community levels • Promoting adult education worldwide

8. Values • Creating equality and opportunity, and challenging discrimination • Believing in people, communities and their potential to change through Education • Putting the learner at the centre of everything we do • Challenging and questioning ourselves

9. What is a project? • Specific remit, objectives and resources • Frequently funded externally • Work which is distinct from the everyday activities of the organisation • Self-contained and time restricted

10. Targeted Support Fund • Purpose: To provide community-based learning activities to support civic engagement and participation. • Funder: Community Development Foundation (DCLG) • Targets: Y1 - 2 learning programmes, a report and a regional seminar. Y2 – 2 learning programmes, a report, a regional seminar and a dissemination event. • Income: £50,000 • Costs: £40,000 (approx) • Timescale: January 10 to March 11 • Partners: Voluntary Action Kirklees, Kirklees Council and Sheffield City Council, OFFER, Manor and Castle Development Trust, Wybourn Community Primary, Emmaus Primary School. • HR implications: None

11. Regional Take Part Champion and Development Fund • Purpose: To extend the work of the Take Part Pathfinder into new local authority areas regionally. • Funder: Community Development Foundation (DCLG) • Targets: Y1 – 6 learning programmes. Y2 – Extension of the development fund plus evaluation. • Income: £190,000 • Costs: £110,000 • Timescale: January 10 to March 11 • Partners: Regional local authorities including Hull, North Lincs, North-East Lincs, Calderdale, Wakefield, Scarborough, Kirklees, Leeds, East Riding • HR implications: Secondments of project organisers and managers

12. Active Citizenship Education Project • Purpose: To develop new active citizenship courses and regional partnerships. • Funder: NIACE • Targets: 6 new short courses, LA staff training, 3 RACLA events, 1 national active citizenship event. • Income: £65,000 • Costs: £40,000 (approx) • Timescale: September 09 to March 10 • Partners: Sheffield City Council, York Council, Rotherham MBC, Doncaster MBC, Barnsley MBC, Parliamentary Outreach, TUC, NIACE, Take Part Network. • HR implications: None

13. Train the Take Part Trainers • Purpose: To develop new active citizenship trainers • Funder: Community Development Foundation • Targets: Deliver845 learning opportunities • Income: £481,260 • Costs: N/A • Timescale: August 09 to October 10 • Partners: NAVCA • HR implications: Secondments of project organisers and managers

14. Take Part Pathfinder • Purpose: To develop learning opportunities to support civic participation and active citizenship • Funder: Community Development Foundation • Targets: Learning programme, residentials, community research, study visits, and accreditation. • Income: £265,000 • Costs: N/A • Timescale: January 09 to March 11 • Partners: Barnsley MBC, Doncaster MBC, Rotherham MBC, Take Part Network, Northern College, Novas Scarman Group • HR implications: Secondments of project organisers and managers