Gold Star is managed by WCVA on behalf of the Wales MDGs Task Force and BUILD, and funded by the Welsh Assembly Government 'Wales for Africa' scheme.
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Funding Sources for Community Links
Download here: Guidance Sheet on Funding for International Projects
Funding the development of a community link can be challenging, but a great way to engage people and organisations - both in Wales and in Africa - to support the work of the link, and the development of your two communities. However, quality links are based upon equality and partnership, not charity and imposition of prejudice; so it is very important that funding of links and their projects is given thought. Before racing into fundraising, ensure you and / or your groups have read and worked through the key issues highlighted in the UKOWLA Toolkit for Linking section on Resourcing the Link.
One of the fundamental criteria of the Gold Star Communities Award, is that community partnerships must be "self-sustaining within the resources of the two linked communities" - ie, not dependent on funds from elsewhere, for the link to function effectively.
Sources of Funding for Sector Specific Links
- Schools & Colleges - DfID / British Council 'Global School Partnerships' Scheme and EPA Scheme
- Higher Education - DfID / British Council 'DELPHE' Scheme, EPA Scheme and European Union EduLink Scheme; DfID Research Scheme
- Health Links - NHS Wales for Africa Health Links Fund
Further Funding Resources and Information
- Sustainable Funding Cymru offers guidance, resources and links to assist voluntary groups in developing a strong income base, through schemes such as direct debits, subscriptions, fundraising, payroll giving, internet giving, corporate sponsorship and events.
- Gold Star Communities Grants Scheme
- UKOWLA Toolkit on Linking - Chapter on "Resourcing the Link"
- SMIDOS provide tailored training and advice on the above specifically to Small-Medium International Development Organisations, and have produced the SMIDOS Introduction to Fundraising Course Pack available here.
- The Welsh Assembly Government 'Wales for Africa' scheme provides strategic level funding for the development of Wales' international sector activities.
- DfID (the UK Government Department for International Development) are currently developing a UK Community Linking Scheme, and we expect to be able to link to further information about these from Summer 2009.
- DfID also have a useful directory of funding schemes for small-scale projects.
- The Waterloo Foundation in Wales fund a range of projects, and also produce a very helpful list of foundations, trusts and other funding sources.
