Once a project is underway, we can support you in making claims to draw down funding as it progresses. This can be a complex process, particularly when multiple funding bodies are involved, and we can take the headache out of complicated calculations, form-filling, and any other post-award negotiations that are required.
In addition we can provide funding bodies with the information they need in terms of monitoring the project against objectives set and outputs promised. Obviously this can be very simple if it just involves counting jobs created, for example, but for some projects a more in-depth piece of work is required to calculate the details of the project's impact.
If you want to evaluate the performance and value of a potential, current or completed capital or revenue project, we have the expertise and experience to do this. You may need to satisfy funders or other partners of the value of investing in the project, or you may simply wish to know how a project is performing/has performed in order to learn lessons and keep it on track – either way we can step in if you do not have the time or resources within your organisation to carry out the work.
Click below to read more, or click here to see more examples of our work in this area.
De Facto worked with Porthcurno Telegraph Museum to develop an evaluation framework for an innovative new science sculpture garden to be developed in partnership with local school children and artists. The framework sets out an evaluation methodology, timescales, questionnaires and practical tools to enable the museum to monitor the project itself.
De Facto will return after the project has been implemented to analyse the information collected and complete the evaluation report.
The 2001 Film Festival took place supported by European funding. We were asked to carry out an exercise to assess the economic impact of the Festival for monitoring purposes. The client asked us to analyse visitor numbers at the time of the Festival and quantify the level of associated visitor spend; assess the Festival's direct impact on the media sector and its long term benefit to media sector attendees; and provide a qualitative assessment of the event and its effects.
Our work involved assessing delegate questionnaire responses, face to face interviews with attendees during the Festival, and telephone consultation with businesses after the Festival.
Mid Devon District Council had plans to transform the listed Pannier Market building in the centre of Tiverton, but needed help to progress the project. We were engaged by the Council to take the project through all stages of its development. We engaged a design team, consulted widely on the project, liaised closely with all interested parties and developed and secured a £3.5 million funding package. The complex package included significant awards from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Objective 2 ERDF and the South West of England Regional Development Agency.
Once the funding package was complete and construction started, we were responsible for making quarterly claims to each of the funding agencies in order to enable the Council to draw down their funding. The extremely complex nature of the funding package (with each agency funding differing percentages of the various elements of the project) meant that the claims were equally complex. Detailed ongoing negotiations with funders were required as the project was implemented, and the project was brought in on time and on budget in 2006.
The St Paul's Neighbourhood Plan was developed by a partnership of St Paul's Unlimited Community Partnership, Bristol City Council and the South West RDA. Responding to concerns that regeneration activities in the area were uncoordinated, the plan aimed to provide a framework for investment, decision making and improved services.
De Facto were asked to evaluate the process of developing the Plan. Our methodology included a number of elements to enable as wide a variety of people as possible to contribute. The main elements of primary research were;
The evaluation showed that the Plan had been successfully completed to a very high standard. We identified recommendations to provide guidance to partners on next steps, and the partnership is now working to implement these. We also indicated learning points for others embarking on a simliar process.
Our client said of our work 'You have done an excellent job and provided us with a quality document that can be used positively to help implement the plan and inform other developments.'