Participatory Grant-Making (PGM) is an innovative approach that empowers communities to have a say in funding decisions and shapes the impact it can have. Last week, we answered some of the frequently asked questions about PGM and the different PGM models, so if you’re new to PGM, have a read of our first blog in this series.

In this blog, we will explore two different PGM models, showcasing real examples of how they were implemented.

TSI Moray: An open-collective PGM model

In Moray, our Funding Officers wanted to reach out to new groups, so they teamed up with tsiMoray to deliver an open-collective PGM model. An open-collective PGM model means the PGM is open to the public, and individuals and groups across Moray could get involved in the decision-making process. TsiMoray first hosted some online and in-person sessions, with support from our Funding Officers, where attendees learned about PGM, engaged in discussions and made decisions together.

The attendees had the opportunity to decide on things like eligibility criteria, funding amounts and voting procedures. The group decided there would be a focus on Community Wellbeing and groups could apply for funding between £200- £2000 for activities which connected to community wellbeing.

This resulted in 24 funding applications, and the groups were invited to a participatory process, where they could meet and discuss their applications to refine their projects with the support of other applicants. Once they were ready, the 24 projects went through an online voting process, which was advertised widely in the community and 12 of the groups were awarded funding for their ideas.

To celebrate the pilot project’s success, a special event was organised where all the applicants were invited. This gave our Funding Officers the chance to gather feedback from applicants as well as support both the successful and unsuccessful applicants with avenues to funding and advice.

Debbie Herron, Development Manager at Forres Area Community Trust, a successful group under the PGM project, expressed her thoughts on the process:

“The advice provided by tsiMoray and The National Lottery Community Fund enabled us to submit our application and get involved.

We loved having the opportunity to engage with the public and encourage people to vote. We managed to get enough votes to win, and it was a fantastic achievement because it was a new approach for us.”

With the funding Forres Area Community Trust received, they will be able to run their Menopause Moments project, supporting women going through or having experienced menopause by providing activities, workshops, and a menopause café. The community’s endorsement through their votes validated the importance of their project and demonstrated the genuine need for it in their community.

North Ayrshire Mental Health Commission (NAMHC): A community board PGM model

In North Ayrshire, partnering with the North Ayrshire Mental Health Commission our Funding Officers used a community board model, where the decision-making board consists of community members with lived experience. In this case, they involved a group of young people aged 13-25. These young participants attended workshops and a residential trip to design the criteria and overall process for the grant making.

To apply, groups went through our National Lottery Awards for All programme, where our Funding Officers reviewed them to ensure they met the minimum requirements. The approved applications were then sent back to the group of young people who then decided which projects they would like to fund.

Once the successful applications were determined, the young people shared them with the wider community. Young people from the community were invited to cast their votes for their preferred project through an online voting system, accessible via the Young Scot website.

To celebrate the successful applicants, a showcase event was held, where the young people announced the selected projects. This PGM project engaged approximately 5000 people and involved 30 volunteers. The benefit of this model meant during the PGM process NAMHC were able to engage young people in conversations about mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Logan, one of the young participants involved, felt proud to be part of this new approach to funding:

“I feel like I have made a difference and worked with others to accomplish something meaningful. I also made new friends and learned you don’t need a title to make a difference.”

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These examples demonstrate how PGM models, such as the open collective and community board models, can be implemented to involve communities in funding decisions. We know it’s not a one size fits all, and as we mentioned in our first PGM blog, there are so many different models to choose from. It all comes down to listening to what the communities’ needs are and collectively choosing a model that’s the right fit.

By empowering individuals and groups, PGM ensures that the projects funded align with the community’s needs and aspirations.