UNCRC Innovation Fund
The UNCRC Innovation Fund is a new Scottish Government grant fund, initiated by the Children’s Rights Unit.
This Fund will support activities which contribute to a Scotland where children’s rights are respected, protected and fulfilled. It will support public bodies and local authorities to develop a child’s rights-based approach and embed children’s rights into culture, policy and practice.
Priority will be given to applications which target support for infants, children and young people who face an increased risk of not having their rights fulfilled. The Fund Criteria document provides more detail on target groups and priorities.
The value of this Fund is £500,000. It is anticipated that between 10 and 15 grants will be made.
To apply, there is an online application form to complete, and this will include a requirement for a short video. Funding decisions will be given in late September. The closing date for all applications is 12 noon on Thursday 29 June 2023.
If you’d like to speak to us before applying, please contact us on humanrights@corra.scot or call us on 0131 444 4020.
Can I apply?
Eligibility
Only public bodies and local authorities in Scotland can apply to this Fund. The list of those eligible to apply is outlined in Section 16 of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill.
Public bodies and local authorities can apply individually or in partnership, and as part of a coalition which can include other types of applicants, including third sector organisations.
You can find full details of eligibility via this document UNCRC Innovation Fund Criteria
What can I apply for?
- Applications will be considered for requests with a minimum cost of £10,000 and a maximum of £100,000, with the expectation that larger awards will be targeted towards partnership bids with the capacity to influence multiple geographic areas or multiple elements within a system (e.g. of the justice, education or care systems).
- The funding requested may be for projects that include planning or service delivery or both, but must see activity focussed on the work of a public body or local authority.
Information Session and Q&A
We held an information session on this fund on 23 May 2023.
- The slides used are available by clicking here.
- The recording of the session is available by clicking here.
- The transcript of the session is available by clicking here.
- Questions we have received about the fund, both during the Information Session and outside it, have been documented with answers and are shared in this Q&A document available by clicking here. This ensures that all those interested in the fund have access to the same information.
Chat to us
If you would like to chat to a member of the team before applying, please contact humanrights@corra.scot.
Apply
Before applying, please make sure you read:
- The Criteria Document UNCRC Innovation Fund Criteria
- Guidance on completing the template for the UNCRC Innovation Fund
If you require these documents in different formats, please get in touch with us at humanrights@corra.scot to discuss this.
Application Process
Applications should be completed online via this link UNCRC Fund Application Form
You will need to complete a budget as part of your proposal and upload it to your online application form; please use this template UNCRC Budget Template
If you are having issues with the online form – please have a look at Annex 2 of the guidance document for common issues and solutions.
If you need further help completing your application form please contact us at humanrights@corra.scot.
Closing Date for Applications
The closing date for all applications is Thursday 29 June 2023 at 12 noon.
What happens next?
Decision Making Process
Once we receive your application, the following happens:
- Your application will be reviewed for eligibility and due diligence checks will be carried out by a Corra grants advisor. They may be in contact with you at this point to ask some follow up questions.
- Children and young people will participate in the assessment of applications. Final decision-making will be confirmed by Scottish Government.
When are decisions announced?
We anticipate that decisions will be announced and offers issued by October 2023.
What are the reporting requirements if my application is successful?
Successful applicants will need to report on these grants in two ways. Firstly, through online meetings with Corra staff. Secondly, through formal reports to be sent to Corra; these reports will include a short video component and will be reviewed by children and young people who will share feedback with grantholders.
Can I get feedback if my application is unsuccessful?
We provide written feedback to all applicants and are happy to discuss this further with you once you’ve received your result.
