DSD withholds scoring matrix for Modernisation Fund

The Voluntary and Community Unit is not willing to provide applicants with the assessment matrix that will be used to score applications made to the £15m Modernisation Fund Capital Grants Programme.

In the guidelines for the funding scheme applicants are told:

We [DSD] have also established a set of priorities for funding which will be used in the scoring process.

In reponse to a request from NICVA in August for the scoring matrix to be published the Department has said:

While we have clearly identified the criteria against which the capital fund applications will be assessed it is not the intention of VCU to publish the scoring matrix for the modernisation fund capital programme.

The matrix referred to in the guidelines would contain details for prioritising applications for selection.

Neil Irwin - Member services Manager at NICVA commented:

Many in the sector are frustrated at the withholding of this information. Such information would be extremely beneficial, if not essential, to applicants to ensure they fall within the criteria of the scheme and allow applicants to fully present priority areas to the funder - or choose not to apply at all, saving enormous time and effort.

"The scheme is likely to be inundated with applicants because no one can see which projects are a priority for the Department"

I cannot see any justification for withholding this information as it is surely best practice for a funding body to share this information with its applicants to ensure the best projects come through the application process.

Comment on this article: Email: neil.irwin@nicva.org