The vast majority of respondents to research commissioned by the Finance Hub in 2006 and undertaken by Sheffield Hallam University last year reported the need for a national funding advisers network – FANN. The first stage of this work is to develop and consult on a feasibility study, to be followed by a more detailed business plan later in the year.
WHO?
The National Funding Advice Partnership (with lead body fit4funding) are undertaking a piece of work commissioned by the Finance Hub to prepare for a Funding Advisers National Network. Funding Advisers can work for third sector organisations or other public bodies.
WHAT?
This project is based on a report produced by Sheffield Hallam University and commissioned by the Finance Hub in 2006. It recognised the need for a Funding Advice National Network (FANN) to support the work of funding advisers to the third sector in England.
The aim is for the provision of funding advice to become an established profession within the sector, with high levels of recognition and confidence among service users, and well-defined professional standards. The Network would act as the disseminator and guardian of these standards:
- To establish a Funding Advice National Network which can deliver new infrastructure services with clear links at regional and sub regional levels.
- To design and begin to provide those new infrastructure services, to include training, quality/standards and a networking agenda to provide for funding advisers, working either in generic development or in specialist contexts.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
Funding advice networks exist formally and informally throughout the country and consist largely of dedicated funding advice workers, and development workers who have funding advice as part of their job description. They primarily work for infrastructure organisations in the third sector, and for local authorities and other publicly funded agencies, and mostly at a local level.
Contact Chris Hollins, Director at fit4funding for more information: chrishollins@fit4funding.org.uk
