1. Support for decommissioned groups and VSF members The Ready for Change Tool John Griffiths Rocket Science UK Ltd john.griffiths@rocketsciencelab.co.uk

2. Rocket Science provide advice and consultancy services in the fields of community regeneration, economic development, learning and skills and welfare to work. The “Tools for Succession” project was originally commissioned by the London Development Agency (LDA) and Government Office for London European Unit (GOL) Objective to support grant-funded projects in London as they approach the end of their ESF and SRB funding Ready for Change Project

3. Speaking the Coalition’s language Coalition Government New Labour Local Regional Localisation Devolution Civil Society Organisations Third Sector Community development Regeneration Bottom-up Target driven Freedoms and flexibilities Rights and responsibilities Unemployment Worklessness Neighbourhood plans Strategic Frameworks Service modernisation Public service reform Local Enterprise Partnerships Regional Development Agencies

4. Challenges for the Third Sector Challenges and Opportunities for the Sector Reduced public spending, but New and more accessible markets opened Less bureaucracy and regulation, but A strong focus on value for money and minimum standards Valuing wider social, environmental and economic outcomes, but A need to provide robust and transparent data Payment by results, but Need to access the working capital to operate and demonstrate results

5. Key factors in a project’s sustainability?

6. Involve everyone: –Instil an ethos of sustainability into the whole project Start early: –Plan succession/exit from the outset Plan your finances: –Develop a robust business plan with allied funding strategy – and resources explicitly earmarked for succession –Strive to diversify your funding at the outset Monitor and evaluate: –Create a robust and evidence-based baseline –Remain aware of and responsive to shifting demand Sell your project: –Find time for networking, PR and communication Keep up with policy: –Remain aware of key policy drivers and how your project complements statutory sector provision Work with your funder(s): –Sustain an honest and open relationship Be realistic: –Recognise that succession might not involve the whole project Projects’ experiences and practice

7. Encourage sustainability planning: –Conduct more robust assessment of projects’ proposed exit arrangements when commissioning Consult: –Engage delivery organisations (i.e. project promoters) in the design of new programmes Communicate: –Changes of policy and programmes Fairer funding: –Bringing more transparency and accountability to funding decisions Build capacity: –Encourage and investing in delivery consortia; investing in appropriate technical assistance Evaluate: –Making better use of project (and programme) evaluations Work within VCS guidelines: –HMT Guidance to Funders –The Compact? Issues for funders

8. Benchmarks progress –Leadership; Finances; Impact; Business Devt. Creates an evidence base: –funders –partners –clients Gathers all your information in one place: –saves time later Encourages you to start thinking early Helps prioritise tasks for action Ensures a shared understanding within the organisation Allows peer learning Why use the Tool?

9. The Ready for Change Tool can be accessed online free of charge at www.rocketsciencelab.co.uk www.rocketsciencelab.co.uk Rocket Science UK Ltd info@rocketsciencelab.co.uk