Many years of experience helping communities get projects off the ground have resulted in our Four Steps to Success guide. It will help you check that you have covered all aspects of what can be a complicated process, and may save you time, effort and money in the long run.

You may be surprised to see that finding funding is not the first challenge - other, vital, processes should be considered first. There are no guarantees that every project will be successful, but following these steps will help.

First stage information - identify:

• what you want to happen
• who will benefit
• whether there are similar projects already running successfully elsewhere
• when it needs to happen -timescales
• where it will happen - finding a potential venue/premises
• who to approach for advice and who to involve at the very first stage
• how to gain and develop support in the community - methods of communication, consultation and publicity
• the right people to form a working group and their roles and responsibilities
• suitable meeting place for the working group and admin arrangements

Next stage information - develop the idea

• Prepare plan of action
• Find enthusiastic people willing to help
• Check suitability of chosen venue/premises
• Identify potential partner organisations/groups - statutory or voluntary
• Identify particular skills/knowledge and the need for any professional input e.g. architect
• Check regulations - health & safety, planning, need for licences, police checks etc.
• If you are paying staff - consider the implications e.g. wages/National Insurance/tax/conditions of employment
• How much will the project cost i.e. a realistic budget
• Identify potential sources of funding - who to contact
• Bidding - if appropriate write a formal bid
• Keep widercommunity informed

The work begins - the idea starts to become a reality

• Review the Working Group responsibilities - clear and agreed rules and demarcation - review on a regular basis
• Keep wider community informed and review communications, consultation and publicity activities
• Keep an eye on project progress particularly timescales and budget
• Be prepared to modify the project if it doesn't go exactly to plan
• Key funders will expect a regular progress report. Think about how you will monitor your project and assess its impact

The longer term - sustaining the project

• Be aware of ongoing costs including maintenance of building/s and update cash flow accordingly
• Funding - review existing/explore new sources
• Review responsibilities/roles of your core management group
• Identify the need to keep people involved and consider bringing new people in
• Review training needs and research services offered by training providers accordingly
• Keep wider community and key funders informed
• Be prepared to review and adapt as circumstances and the people involved change
• Encourage creative thinking - explore ways of becoming self sufficient

And then consider . . .

• Is the project developing to the stage where it needs to be formalised?