3 CASO SCOZIA INGLESE low - Rete Pari Opportunita

Gender Equality in Local Economic Development in Scotlandwhole of Scotland (even though most grants areby nature concentrated in the main cities) 50 .The Fund presents a number of strengths andinnovative aspects:• First, the fact that the Fund is managed by aninstitution with extensive experience with themanagement of similar projects ensuresefficiency, rigour and transparency;• Second, part of the resources of the Fund areinvested in endowments, so as to leave a legacyand ensure durability across time;• Third, the Fund has levered significantly onpublic resources with its active fund-raisingpolicies and seeking private donations on anon-going basis;• Fourth, the simplicity of the Fund makes itappealing to a wide range of groups andprojects, in line with the goals of the instrument.In addition, from the point of view of applicants,the Fund presents a number of strengths:• The above-mentioned flexibility means that awide range of projects can be put forward forfunding;• Grants are administered through a rigorous andyet client-friendly application and selectionprocess. The burden on project applicants iskept to a minimum with a simple and focusedapplication process. Supplementary informationfor the appraisal is obtained via a telephoneinterview, keeping the process moreinformal and time-efficient. This is in line withthe type of groups that the Fund intends toattract, groups that all too often would lack thecapacity to prepare more extensive applicationdocuments;• The certainty over the timetable of selectionprocedures and the simplicity of post-fundingrequirements (applicants have to simply submita project report) are also positive elements ofthe fund from an applicant’s point of view.From the point of view of the SCF, on the otherhand:• The project selection process includes the initialscrutiny of applications by voluntary assessorswho carry out this work in their homes(applications and supporting documentationis sent to them), thus relieving the SCF – whichis a small organisation – of a lot of theadministrative burden associated with themanagement of the fund;• The fact that individuals are not eligible meansthat the grants deliver a higher impact, asfunding activities for a group of 50 womenachieves higher impact than funding one singlewoman. It also ensures, at the same time, thatthe number of applications received is manageable;• The role of the Advisory Board has beenextremely valuable too. The board has anadvisory capacity and is not involved in theselection of projects. However, as the boardmembers come from all over Scotland, theirinput has been valuable to ensure that the Fundresponds to needs of girls and womenthroughout Scotland;• The fact that there are no prohibitions withcumulating the award from the Fund with othergrants often contributes to maximise theimpacts of grants, as the Fund’s awards have50 S. Hamilton (2005) Op. Cit., p. 15.20