Download Proposed changes to the Grants Criteria and Grant

Feed the Minds’ Education for Change Project Criteria
Feed the Minds (FTM) supports non-formal education projects which empower
marginalised people in the Global South1 through our Education for Change
programme. The primary beneficiaries of our work with partners are adults;
however, a few FTM projects target primarily youth and children.
FTM partners are non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or community-based
organisations (CBOs) working to support the most marginalised in communities.
They range from small local organisations which are new to project management,
reporting and fundraising to larger organisations working across several
countries. Many of our partners are Christian; some are of different faiths or
none.
Literacy is central to our strategy, therefore all projects supported by FTM must
have a literacy component.
By literacy we mean more than just reading, writing and numeracy; we see
literacy as a tool for transformation under a broad definition which embraces IT
and other media resources.
See FTM’s Literacy Policy for more details
FTM invites applications for projects of £1,000 - £25,000 for 1-3 years duration.
When a project is approved and funds are secured, the organisation becomes a
partner of FTM.
All partners are invited to join the FTM network which shares good practice and
materials among FTM partners. FTM supports cross-organisational learning,
through its network, which includes actively encouraging organisations including
FTM, to work together and share good practice. Membership of FTM’s network is
reviewed every 2 years.
FTM provides a range of organisational support to partners including
incorporating and strengthening literacy, project management, monitoring and
evaluation, financial management, communications and fundraising. This support
varies according to the needs of our partners and the resources available.
Towards the end of the particular project, the partnership with FTM will be
reviewed. If appropriate, the partner might be invited to submit an additional
application for another project.
Feed the Minds looks for projects which link closely with our core values
1
By Global South we mean resource-poor countries in Africa, Asia, Middle East, South and Central America,
Pacific Island States.
Park Place, 12 Lawn Lane, London, SW8 1UD.020 7582 3535. www.feedtheminds.org,
Registered charity in England and Wales (291333) and Scotland (SCO41999)
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Partnership
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Creativity
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Integrity
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Diversity
Literacy is central to our strategy; therefore all projects supported by
FTM must have a literacy component.
FTM supports projects under the following categories:
Civic education for adults to actively engage in community issues including
local decision making, demanding their rights, governance, voter education,
participation in democratic processes, environmental responsibility.
Health awareness-raising, prevention and education projects which adopt a
holistic, inclusive and compassionate approach, including HIV & AIDS (see FTM’s
HIV & AIDS Policy), maternal and reproductive health.
Peacebuilding projects in fragile states, including trauma-healing, conflict
resolution, training church leaders, inter-religious dialogue.
Theological education which links spiritual and community issues. This
includes support for existing Theological Education by Extension (TEE)
programmes strengthening the role of Church leaders in addressing issues in
marginalised communities such as food security, peacebuilding, HIV and AIDS
etc.
Vocational training for adults of low economic status who have limited access
to employment and income opportunities. Evidence of the need for the skill to be
taught must be provided and realistic opportunities for sustainable income
generation should be demonstrated. The trainers must have relevant and
demonstrable expertise.
FTM will also consider innovative projects that do not fit into the above
categories but which reflect the core values of FTM.
Park Place, 12 Lawn Lane, London, SW8 1UD.020 7582 3535. www.feedtheminds.org,
Registered charity in England and Wales (291333) and Scotland (SCO41999)
FTM supports projects which:
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bring about meaningful changes in the lives of the beneficiaries
have a literacy component which strengthens communities and civil society
arise from a locally identified need and are appropriate to local context and
culture
engage target groups in active learning
use participatory approaches to achieve clear outcomes
involve local people in decision-making throughout the project
recognise the important role that women play in development
are sustainable and have an impact that continues beyond the funding
period
build the capacity of partner organisations and local communities
target marginalised communities
are cost-effective
prioritise indigenous literature and / or knowledge
FTM does not support projects which:
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include more than 15% for capital expenditure (e.g. buildings, vehicles or IT
equipment)
focus primarily on the provision of materials (e.g. books for libraries, uniforms
for orphans)
focus primarily on providing healthcare, agriculture, animal husbandry,
shelter, food
include funding for micro-credit
fund doctoral or other research
provide school fees or scholarships
provide free distribution of journals or periodicals
primarily focus on Bible translation
bribes, coerces or entices people to convert to any religious belief
support for journals, periodicals or magazines
are developed and managed by organisations based in the Global North
are aimed primarily at raising awareness of development issues in the Global
North
are not in line with FTM’s HIV & AIDS Policy
Last Updated September 2012
Park Place, 12 Lawn Lane, London, SW8 1UD.020 7582 3535. www.feedtheminds.org,
Registered charity in England and Wales (291333) and Scotland (SCO41999)