West Midlands Funders Forum Participation Round Table Liz Gadd,  NPC 16 July 2019

OUTLINE of the session Introductions Presentation Making it Count Examples of what other funders are doing Questions Round-table discussion Shared learning Raising issues and questions Chatham House rules Introduce myself and background

By Rosie McLeod, Theo Clay October 2018 Making it count By Rosie McLeod, Theo Clay October 2018

Context A renewed interest in involvement & user voice across the sector. People are re-examining power dynamics between funders, charities and individuals. Sharing influence is both morally right and the smart way to work.    

WHAT “A process by which people are able to become actively and genuinely involved in defining the issues of concern to them; in making decisions about factors that affect their lives; in formulating and implementing polices; in planning, developing and delivering services, and in taking action to achieve change.” (WHO Community participation definition 2002, used by Clinks in their guide)

WHAT: THE SPECTRUM OF APPROACHES

Why? Many motives muddy the waters It’s good for the people involved (intrinsic benefits). It can improve decisions and services (extrinsic & instrumental benefits). People should have a say (moral or political). “It’s about the process: it benefits those involved” “It’s about improving decisions, services and products”   “It’s the right way for an organisation to behave” “It’s about addressing power imbalances, giving people a real say”

Without a clear purpose it may be done badly, and marginalised The question ‘why are you doing it?’ seems self-evident.  But if we don’t ask what it aims to achieve, we can lose the point.  The activity becomes the end, not the means. It is marginalised as 'nice to have' rather than key to impact and mandate. There are few strategies and very little work on outcomes.  Why should people invest their time 'having a voice' if it leads to nothing? Why should work be funded with no clear gains?

Make it count: Individual and collective benefits

Make it Count: improving decisions, services and outcomes

Make it count: stronger partnerships, greater social impact

Have a purpose, make an impact Being honest about scope, and clear on purpose and aims Monitoring quality  Reviewing progress and using data Addressing power dynamics

The role of funders

The role of funders It all begins with the funder… Values Clarity on primary stakeholders Expectations Purpose Recognising where charities are / building in reality Resourcing (time & money) Funder+ Incentives Monitoring

Fund for shared insight (USA)

Big Lottery Community FUnd

Trust for London

Questions and discussion

Discussion starting points… Chatham House rules Questions for Liz or the group as a whole? Current practice? Where are you on the spectrum of approaches? Hopes? Where would you like to be on the spectrum of approaches? Barriers? Drivers? Purpose? Benefits? Learning? What should the role of the funder be? Impact on grant cycle management? Impact on our organisations? Opportunities to collaborate?