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Enabling Natural Resources and Well-being (ENRaW) SchemeExpression of Interest – Criteria and Application Form

Opens 3rd Feb 2020Closes 13th March 2020

Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020

© Crown copyright 2019 ISBN Number: 1 978-1-83933-386-6

CONTENTS

Section

Introduction 1

Timescale 2

Funds Available 3

How to Apply 4

Scheme Overview 5

EOI Selection Criteria 6

Scoring Methodology and Criteria 7

GDPR 8

EOI Application Form Annex A

ENRaW Themes of Action Annex B

© Crown Copyright 2015 ISBN Number: 978-1-78859-738-8

© Crown copyright 2019 ISBN Number: 1 978-1-83933-386-6

1. INTRODUCTION

These Guidance Notes explain how the Expression of Interest (EOI) process for the Enabling Natural Resources and Well-being (ENRaW) scheme will be operated.

Please read these notes carefully. You will also need to refer to:

Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 Expression of Interest Guidance Notes.

https://gov.wales/rural-grants-payments

Guidance Notes for the Enabling Natural Resources and Well-being Scheme.

2. TIMESCALE

This ENRaW EOI application window will be open from 3 February 2020.

The closing date for applications is 13 March 2020at 23:59.

EOIs may be submitted at any time throughout the EOI window.

3. FUNDS AVAILABLE

This Enabling Natural Resources and Well-being Window has an indicative budget of £11,165,405.

The maximum grant threshold per enterprise for any individual co-operation project is £10,000,000. The minimum grant threshold per enterprise for any individual co-operation project is £500,000.

Projects will be capped at the grant requested on the EOI Application, therefore applicants are advised to obtain realistic costings for the lifetime of the project.

The ENRaW Scheme utilises both capital and revenue budgets to maximise the best use of available resources. Across the entire ENRaW programme, we are seeking to achieve an approximate 40% spend on capital and a 60% spend on revenue. Applicants should consider this when designing the activity to be delivered through their proposed projects.

4. HOW TO APPLY

For full details of how to apply please refer to the Expression of Interest (EOI) Guidance Notes document. Applicants may submit questions about their EOI application and the process by email to: [email protected]

Version: 1Issue Date: February 2020 of 25Issued By: Welsh Government

© Crown Copyright 2015 ISBN Number: 978-1-78859-738-8

mailto:[email protected]

EOIs must be submitted on the form attached at the end of this document.

Applicants should complete the EOI form electronically. Sections can be expanded as required, however where there are word limits specified these must be adhered to. Please note that any text submitted over and above a stated word count will be “blacked out” by officials and not form part of the assessment of the EOI. Please note that all the information must be provided within the EOI form. Additional documents or supporting information will not be accepted at EOI stage.

Completed EOI Forms should be submitted via email to: [email protected]

No EOI will be accepted after 23:59 on the closing date.

All Applicants must have registered on RPW Online prior to the closing date of the EOI as all invitations to Full Application will be made via RPW Online.

Visit https://gov.wales/rural-payments-wales-rpw-online for more information on registration.

5. SCHEME OVERVIEW

5.1 Vision

Businesses, Organisations and Communities should be working together to increase their resilience by tackling issues such as:

Poverty Financial sustainability Climate change Environment quality Social exclusion

There must be a clear fit with delivering national priorities as set out in Prosperity for All, Natural Resources Policy and any relevant issue-specific plans such as the Nature Recovery Action Plan, the Action Plan for Pollinators and the Noise and Soundscape Action Plan, A Fly-tipping Free Wales and local strategies and plans (e.g. local Green Infrastructure, Biodiversity and Air Quality Plans). The principles of SMNR must have been clearly used in planning the development and delivering of the proposed activity.

ENRaW will predominantly support projects that make improvements in residential areas by delivering benefits for people, businesses and their communities. It focuses on pilot projects at the right scale, promoting cooperation and collaboration to address the following three themes of action (Annex B):

1. Developing, regenerating and broadening access to sustainable green infrastructure through nature based solutions;


https://gov.wales/rural-payments-wales-rpw-online

mailto:[email protected]

2. Improving the quality of the urban and rural built environment; and3. Developing resilient ecological networks and nature based solutions.

5.2 Principles

Build capacity and confidence; Act as a catalyst for further intervention; Developed shared visions through diverse approaches and practices; Build on the LEADER principles of innovation and pilot action; Use businesses, organisations, people and our natural resources

effectively to stimulate community, social, environmental and economic well-being for future generations; and

Develop a collaborative approach to promote both vertical and horizontal integration in the wider rural economy.

5.3 Objectives and scope

The aim of this EOI round is to provide support for public bodies, businesses, organisations or communities to develop cross-sector collaborative approaches with a range of stakeholders at the right scale to achieve multiple objectives and outcomes through “making new things happen”.

Applications will need to take a strategic, holistic approach and actively engage the people of Wales through co-design and co-delivery. Through co-operation, they should develop innovative solutions and take actions on issues that really matter to communities, enhancing the environment for the well-being of people, communities and wildlife alike.

A place-based approach is preferred with a focus on delivery of measurable outcomes at scale spanning economic, social and cultural benefits in addition to environmental.

They will need to be clear on outcomes and use robust data to underpin their application and/or demonstrate how such evidence will be collected as part of the project.

Activities can include, but are not limited to:

Improving and enhancing local environment quality; Active sustainable management of natural resources; Developing and improving access to sustainable green infrastructure; and Improving ecosystem resilience.

The delivery of the above activities will need to take into account opportunities to support:

Green prescribing; Nature based solutions;


Clearer links between natural resources and well-being Volunteering; Training and education; and Behaviour change.

Project proposals must reflect a scale and breadth appropriate to the nature of the sector or thematic groups that are to be engaged with.

5.4 Eligibility

Support for co-operation activities must demonstrate at least three entities involved in the proposed project. Project proposals that are a priority for support are those that will operate on a Pan-Wales basis or at a significant sub-regional basis (e.g. two or more Public Bodies / Unitary Authority Areas) and clearly demonstrate a wide range of entities working together.

Project proposals that have a narrow focus such as a local geographic area or a limited linear supply chain and project proposals that are investigative trials or studies of new technologies or techniques that do not have a significant co-operation and collaboration element are not a priority for support.

This EOI round will provide support for the following types of costs:

- The development and capacity building elements of the proposed co-operation activity;

- Running costs of the co-operation activity; (including the travel and subsistence costs of participants)

- Animation (this can include organisation of training, networking between members and the recruitment of members);

- Studies (this can include feasibility studies, drawing up of a business plan and/or equivalent for a local / industry development strategy); and

- Costs of specific operations (projects) undertaken by the co-ordinator / animator / facilitator or other partner in a pilot / co-operation activity (linked to a detailed plan).

This is not a definitive list – further information is available in the full Scheme Guidance Notes.

5.5 Duration

The successful bids are expected to receive funding for a period of up to three years, the last claim cannot be later than June 2023.


6. EOI SELECTION CRITERIA

The EOI proposal will be scored on a five point scale where a score of 5 is the highest and a score of 0 is the lowest.

Selection Criteria Score Weighting factor

A Fit of proposal with national priorities and the Themes of Action (Annex B) 0-5 x 4

B How the project contributes to the delivery of local/regional objectives and plans 0-5 x 5

C

Application of the principles of sustainable management of natural resources (SMNR) to the design and delivery of the project, including a clear focus on the collaboration of proposed project partners

0-5 x 3

DClear plans for governance, project management, monitoring and evaluation appropriate to the level and scale of the project

0-5 x 3

E Value for money 0-5 x 2

For each criterion the assessment will be made on the basis of the information and explanations given.

Explanations should include what activities are proposed to be undertaken, supported by details of how those activities will be organised and/or delivered.

Higher scores will be achieved by providing comprehensive explanations supported by examples of proposed activities and details of how those activities will be managed.

Lower scores will be achieved by giving explanations that are simply statements of intent, for example, “we will hold meetings with stakeholders on a regular basis throughout the project”.

Capability Evidence Provided Score

The information provided in the grant application is sufficiently clear and robust to demonstrate confidence in delivery.

The content is consistent, comprehensive, compelling and directly relevant to the grant scheme in all respects and is highly credible.

5

The content is sufficient (in qualitative 4


terms), convincing, and credible.

The information provided in the grant application demonstrates a small risk to delivery.

There are minor gaps in the content, or to a small extent it is unconvincing, lacks credibility or relevance to the scheme.

3

The information provided in the application demonstrates a moderate risk to delivery.

There are moderate gaps in the content and therefore it is unconvincing.

2

The information provided in the grant application demonstrates a significant risk to delivery.

There are major gaps in the content, it is unconvincing in many respects, it lacks credibility, and/or it is largely irrelevant to the scheme.

1

The information provided in the grant application demonstrates that the project is not capable of being delivered as described

The content is misleading, irrelevant or ineligible. 0

No Expression of Interest will progress which scores less than the minimum quality threshold of 32.

A 0 score in any of the criteria will prevent the EOI from progressing.

EOIs will be scored and ranked in order to the scoring criteria. EOIs will be selected based on their ranking up until the point at which the window budget is fully committed. You will be asked to accept or decline the selection within a given deadline. If acceptance is not received or it is declined, we will select a further tranche up to the window budget. A maximum of three tranches of selections will be completed per window in order to maximise the budget.

An explanation of what is required for each criterion is given below.

7. Scoring Methodology and Criteria

1. Fit of proposal with national priorities and the Themes of Action (Annex B)

In this section please explain how your proposed project fits with and contributes to:

the Themes of Action (Annex B); strategic aims and objectives of ENRaW; and


relevant Welsh Government strategies. 2. How the project contributes to the delivery of local/regional objectives

and plans

In this section please explain how the project has been developed in response to local and regional objectives and plans. You should clearly set out the main beneficiaries of the proposed project outputs and demonstrate that you have engaged with them more collaboratively as partners. Proposals will need to identify why the project is needed and what is ‘new’ and clearly state the evidence and rationale that has shaped the identified activity.

Please explain what your expected outputs are going to be and what potential medium term outcomes there might be. You should explain the timescales for these and how they will be measured and reported on.

3. Application of the principles of sustainable management of natural resources (SMNR) to the design and delivery of the project including a clear focus on the collaboration of proposed project partners

Provide an explanation of how your project has considered and applied the principles of SMNR to the design and delivery of the proposed activity and clearly demonstrate the application of the principles and the impact it has had1. This should include a clear focus on how co-operative working and collaboration have been appropriately taken into account in the design and delivery of the proposed activity.

4. Clear plans for governance, project management, monitoring and evaluation appropriate to the level and scale of the project

This section should include the governance and structure of the proposed collaboration and an outline of the programme or project management to deliver the proposed activities on a day to day basis.

Please outline the monitoring and evaluation plans to be put in place for the life of the project. You should explain how monitoring will be undertaken and the range of methods to be employed including the utilisation of any innovative methodologies, modelling or equipment. You should include both quantitative and qualitative methodologies for measuring the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being benefits across the WFG well-being goals.

5. Value for money

In this section applicants should explain how the project’s activities will deliver value for money. The applicant should explain how the costs of the project are considered to be reasonable taking into account the scope, scale and timescale of the proposals. An excellent proposal would show how costs have been determined to be reasonable

1 Successful applicants will be required to clearly demonstrate the application of the principles and the impact it has had on the delivery of the project throughout its duration.


by clear reference to quotation exercises; standard costs from previous activities; industry comparisons such as QS tables or an independent technical analysis. Please provide evidence of intention to undertake quotation exercises. Where appropriate show how different options for the achievement of the project objectives have been considered and explain how and why the chosen option was decided.

8. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): Privacy Notice

The information provided in the expression of interest application and full application is subject to the Privacy Notice at:

https://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/farmingandcountryside/cap/ruraldevelopment/wales-rural-development-programme-2014-2020/?lang=en.

The Privacy Notice explains the Welsh Government’s processing and use of your personal data and your rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018.

The personal data provided will be held on a database and will be processed by Welsh Government for the purposes of progressing applications and claims for EAFRD assistance. The information provided may be shared with UK Government Departments, Welsh Government Sponsored Public Bodies or agencies within Wales for the purposes of audit, research, meeting statutory obligations and, where appropriate, for the prevention and detection of fraud. Personal data will not, without consent, be made public in any way that identifies individuals. Certain data will be passed to the European Commission in compliance with EC Regulations.

Data may also be passed to Welsh Government support contractors for the purpose of resolving system problems. These contractors will not be permitted to make any other use of this data.

If any person on whom data is held wishes to request details of their personal data being held on Welsh Government’s central database they may contact the Scheme Management Unit on telephone number 03000 622 218.

Nothing in this document shall override the provisions of the GDPR 2018.


https://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/farmingandcountryside/cap/ruraldevelopment/wales-rural-development-programme-2014-2020/?lang=en

https://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/farmingandcountryside/cap/ruraldevelopment/wales-rural-development-programme-2014-2020/?lang=en

Annex A

Enabling Natural Resources and Well-being (ENRaW) Scheme - Expression of Interest Application Form

Project Overview

1) Project Name and Description (A short working project title maximum 50 characters)

Project Name:

Project Description (Maximum 250 words - please include a word count) Please ensure this briefly but clearly identifies what the project is about, what investments are proposed to be made and very briefly why these are needed.

2) Project Location

ADDRESS

POST CODE


3) Other details

Proposed Start Date :Likely End Date :Total Project Cost: £Total Grant Amount: £Grant Rate %* *(percentage of grant requested in relation to the overall project cost)

Costs

To help us to understand your proposal please could you provide a very broad indication of the main cost headings to be included in your proposed project. At EOI stage this is just an indicative list to help the Welsh Government understand your project proposal. Projects will be capped at the grant amount requested at EOI stage therefore applicants are advised to obtain realistic costings for the lifetime of the project. Applicants who are successful at EOI Stage will submit a final list as part of their Stage 2 project application.

Cost Heading Cost Estimate £sStaffTrainingEstablishment CostsMeeting and ConferenceTravel and SubsistencePublicity and Promotion ICT and TelephonyGeneral Project ManagementLegal and ProfessionalOverheadsExternal Contracts/ConsultancyDurable Goods - InfrastructureDurable goods - equipmentConsumablesOther*TOTAL* If “Other” has been selected above use the box below to list all costs included under “Other” showing any breakdown of costs by item and specifying “capital” or “revenue” for each item.

4) Initial indication of Sub-Measure fit


16.2 support for pilot projects and for the development of new products, practices, processes and technologies:Please describe how your proposal fits with Sub-Measure 16.2a Pilot projects, see Section 5 of the Guidance Notes, (Maximum 500 words - please include a word count)


Applicant Details and Background

1) Applicant Name and full Postal Address

Applicant / Company Name:

Address:

Post Code:

Contact name: Position: e-mail:

Telephone No. (incl. STD code)

Language Preference:

You may submit your application in Welsh. Any application submitted in Welsh will be treated no less favourably than an application submitted in English.

The language preference you select here is for your organisation; Formal correspondence and guidance will be in the language preference you select; Technical and financial information will normally be issued in English; and Regardless of preference selected here, written or verbal correspondence from you may

be in either language and we will aim to reply in the same.

Welsh

English

Bilingual

2) Applicant’s business status

Please tick appropriate box:

Registered Charities and Trusts Companies Limited by Guarantee Community Interest Companies (CIC) Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASC) Industrial and Provident Society Mutuals


and other registered co-operatives Local Authorities and other public bodies Town and Community Councils the Welsh Government Private Limited Company Partnership Sole Trader

N.B. Unincorporated associations, groups of associations or any other form of community group that does not have a formal legal status is not eligible under any Sub Measure.

If other, please specify

Company Number and / or Charity Number (if appropriate):

Customer Reference Number CRN (if known):(CRN is the Welsh Government grant payment reference number)

3) Company Structure

Is the applicant company a member of a group of companies?

Yes No

If yes, please give the name of the immediate, and if different, the ultimate Parent company and the country in which they are registered:

Is the applicant a New Start-Up?

Yes No

If yes, please give details below:

Is the applicant business a micro-enterprise, SME or intermediate enterprise?

Micro-enterprise Yes No

SME Yes No

Intermediate Enterprise Yes No

Large Enterprise Yes No


Please give details:

No of Employees (Full Time equivalents based on 30 hours per week)

Annual gross turnover (for last Financial Year)

Annual gross profit(for last Financial Year)


Project Details

Please explain how your proposed project will deliver against the Enabling Natural Resources and Well-being Scheme EOI Selection Criteria. Maximum 1500 words per criterion - please include a word count)

1. Fit of proposal with national priorities and the Themes of Action (Annex B)


2. How the project contributes to the delivery of local/regional objectives and plans


3. Application of the principles of sustainable management of natural resources (SMNR) to the design and delivery of the project including a clear focus on the collaboration of proposed project partners


4. Clear plans for governance, project management, monitoring and evaluation appropriate to the level and scale of the project


5. Value for money


Declaration by Applicant

I declare that the information contained in this application is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

I confirm that I have read and understood the Scheme and EOI Guidance Notes and any other technical guidance that has been issued and that I am authorised to sign / submit this application.

I undertake to notify the Welsh Government of any other application for grant aid for this project.

I confirm that no work on this project has started.

I acknowledge that neither the Welsh Government nor any adviser appointed by the Welsh Government shall be responsible for any advice given, including without limit any advice given in relation to this application and business plan, and that I am solely responsible for all business decisions undertaken.

I confirm the proposed project does not duplicate any existing provisions or any known intended provisions either through statutory service providers, other Welsh Government funded initiatives or other EU funded projects.2

Please see below for a link to the list of Socio Economic RDP 2014 - 2020 - Approved Projects as at 31 August 2018: https://businesswales.gov.wales/walesruralnetwork/wrn-support-unit/ruraldevelopment-programme-funding

I confirm that competitive tendering and procurement will be carried out in accordance with the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 Competitive Tendering and Public Procurement Technical Guidance Note. For further information please see:

https://beta.gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2018-09/rural-development-programme-2014-2020-technical-guide-competitive-tendering-and-public-procurement_0.pdf

ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE: By emailing this form to the Welsh Government’s ENRaW email address you are making the declaration above.

Date:

Name and position:

2 Any EOIs found to contain significant areas of duplication may be excluded from progressing to project application stage.





Company / Organisation:


Annex B

Enabling Natural Resources and Well-being (ENRaW) Scheme – Themes of Action

Each theme has a specific focus on different areas of the national challenges and Opportunities from the NRP for Wales and Wales’ natural resources can be used to maximise multiple benefits across the WFG seven well-being goals.

Theme 1 Developing, regenerating and broadening access to sustainable green infrastructure through nature based solutions

This theme of action will support projects that aim to develop, regenerate or broaden access to sustainable green infrastructure through delivering nature based solutions.

Nature based solutions include approaches to improve infrastructure, improve land and water management and support climate change adaptation and mitigation.

At a local scale, this could include a strategic combination of green corridors, parks, fields, nature reserves, public rights of way, local rivers, streams and ponds, allotments and orchards, woodlands, cemeteries and gardens. At a smaller scale, individual interventions could include street trees, hedgerows, roadside verges and corridors linking urban and rural areas, and green roofs, as part of wider planned activity to contribute to green infrastructure networks. Importantly this activity must be part of a strategic plan for green infrastructure, and where available, should draw on the evidence provided in the Area Statements being prepared by NRW.

Projects will focus on using green infrastructure to achieve a range of economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being benefits across the WFG well-being goals, which can contribute towards reduced air and noise pollution, local climate moderation, climate change mitigation, biodiversity, pollination and food production. Broader benefits may also be demonstrated in relation to flood management and water purification where they are attributed to sustainable green infrastructure. These benefits are particularly important in built environments, where they can facilitate health and well-being-related benefits of open space spaces, clean air and improved tranquillity, as well as creating a sense of place for social and economic regeneration and improved social cohesion.

Theme 2 Improving the quality of the urban and rural built environment

This theme of action will include projects that tackle poor quality in the local built environment, including those issues that adversely impact the health and / or quality of life of people, especially the most vulnerable and those living in deprived communities.

Proposed projects will focus on communities where local environment quality is poorest and resilience is weakest, addressing a range of issues in a sustainable way e.g. littering and fly-tipping hotspots, air quality management areas and noise action


planning priority areas, areas deficient in trees and accessible, good quality green space, particularly where these coincide, and areas of deprivation at risk of flooding.

Projects under this theme will be focused on making towns and cities more attractive places to live, work and invest in through sustainable improvements to local environment quality. Project activities can help provide the benefits of wider ecosystem services such as absorption of air pollutants, noise and rainwater, urban cooling, places for pollinators and encouragement of active travel and reduced flood risk.

Theme 3 Developing resilient ecological networks and Nature Based Solutions

Resilient ecological networks are about linking up Wales’ protected sites with other biodiversity hotspots and the wider countryside, so that species are able to move within and between them where appropriate as required for all stages of their life cycles and in response to issues such as climate change. Developing networks will involve targeted habitat restoration and action to support species, along with the development of landscape-scale projects and nature-based solutions.

Projects proposed under this theme will focus on delivering activity that increases the resilience of ecosystems by supporting the development of resilient ecological networks through the increased use of nature based solutions. Projects will also explore the benefits that can be achieved for promoting well-being.

Nature-based Solutions are defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as “actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits’’. They include approaches to improve infrastructure, support climate change adaptation and mitigation and improve land and water management


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