County Grant Fund launches 1st February 2024

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ECB County Grants Fund is now open for grassroots cricket clubs to apply for grants of up to £10,000 to support projects that will benefit facilities across Wales.

The programme provides grants to successful applicants for a range of different criteria including, but not limited to:

Creating Welcoming Environments – supporting All Stars, Dynamos, Women’s and Girls’ Cricket and / or Disability Cricket

  • Social Space – furniture / decoration / flooring / patio / decking / heating / glazing
  • Toilet Facilities – sanitaryware / tiling / flooring / baby-changing facilities
  • Catering – kitchen units / appliances / professional catering equipment / barbecue
  • Arrival and Access – lighting / signage / car park / disabled access
  • Digitising – WiFi / Broadband hardware (excludes subscription fees) / TVs / PA or Music systems / Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) equipment / Electronic Scoreboards (only if part of a wider digitisation project)

Providing Enhanced Facilities and Playing Opportunities – supporting Women’s and Girls’ Cricket and / or Disability Cricket

Enhanced Changing Facilities:

  • Create individual shower spaces with drying areas
  • Improved toilet provision – sanitaryware / tiling / flooring
  • Decoration / mirrors / hand dryers / grooming points
  • Personal possession lockers

Tackling Climate Change – supporting ECB affiliated Cricket Clubs

  • Flood Resilience – building protection / targeted drainage* / ditch or culvert clearance
  • Drought Resilience – rainwater harvesting / bore holes / irrigation**
  • Energy Saving – Insulation / LED lighting / Solar PV / Solar Thermal / energy-efficient heating systems / double or triple glazing / EV Chargers
  • Water Management – Water-saving sanitaryware / greywater recycling / efficient appliances
  • Electric mower or roller (maximum grant of 25% of costs only.)

Cricket Wales have provided some key bits of advice for applicants to carefully consider when submitting:

DO

  • Read the CGF guidance document
  • If applying for a changing room project, read the ECB’s guidance documents
  • Be clear and concise in detailing the impact outcomes of your project
  • Carefully consider your supporting evidence – this is an integral piece of successful applications
  • Ensure contractor timelines are realistic in relation to Cricket Wales’ grant decision periods
  • Ensure your project is well thought out and that the club/organisation can facilitate the desired outcomes with post-project management plans
  • Ensure the project meets the needs of club and wider community – ensuring this is in line with Club Development plans

DON’T

  • Rush your application
  • Submit an incomplete application
  • Suggest the project will benefit other organisations without evidence of consultation with those organisations
  • Be vague with outcomes e.g. “a long-term aim is to introduce a female pathway”, instead be specific and measurable e.g. “the club will introduce an U9 & U11 female team 24/25 season, and introduce two new age groups in 25/26 and 26/27 seasons.”
  • Work on the application alone – allocate and seek advice from others at your club or organisation

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Set a realistic budget – base designs around a simple, functional, easy-to-manage facility.

KEY DATES

  • Expression of Interest open 1st–14th February 2024
  • Panel review Expression of Interests 19th February 2024
  • Communication sent to all applicants 20th February 2024
  • Stage 2 application open 20thFebruary –17th March 2024 –no outstanding documentation or due diligence after this stage
  • Panel review Stage 2 applications 22nd March 2024
  • Communication sent to all applicants 25th March 2024

HOW TO APPLY

The ECB County Grant Fund is OPEN for applications between 1st – 14th February 2024.

Submit your application on the ECB’s Investment Management System (IMS)

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