THE NATIONAL SHED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (NSDP) MANUAL This Programme is supported by The Australian Government Department of Health 1 P a g e
CONTENTS 1. Introduction....3 2. 2015/17 Changes....3 3. Overview of Categories...4 4. What cannot be funded?...5 5. What are the Priority Groups?......6 6. Who can Apply.....6 7. When do the Rounds Open?...6 8. How to Apply....7 9. Submitting an Application...7 10. Combination funding requests...8 11. Evaluation Process. 10 12. Notification of Outcomes.. 11 13. Successful Applicants 11 14. Contact Details.. 12 2 P a g e
1. Introduction On behalf of the Australian Government, the Australian Men s Shed Association administers the Australian Government National Shed Development Programme (the NSDP) in order to provide direct financial assistance to Men s Sheds across Australia. Priority is given to those Sheds in areas of greatest need. Under the NSDP, the Australian Government allocates $800,000 (GST excl) each financial year (2016-2019) with two funding Rounds of approximately $400,000 (GST excl) p.a. The NSDP enables Men s Sheds and community organisations supporting a Men s Shed to apply for funds to better respond to local needs. The funding available allows Men s Sheds to apply for items such as: Tools and equipment Purpose built workspaces Improvements to Men s Shed facilities Costs incurred to undertake activities that promote or support the health and wellbeing of members Costs associated with provision of training, seminars or undertaking major community projects Please Note: the building of a new Men s Shed and other premises is not supported under this Programme. 2. 2015/17 Changes The NSDP was reviewed by the Department of Health and major changes were implemented from Round Eleven 2015. Please ensure that you read the Guidelines thoroughly and that you have a good understanding of the changes including: The consolidation of all Categories into one Application Form Additional questions contained within the Application Form Evaluation and Scoring Methodology Changes to what can be requested within each category Maximum level of funding available per Category and per Applicant If you require further clarification or information please email amsa@mensshed.net 3 P a g e
3. Overview of Categories Individual Men s Sheds in Australia can apply for a range of financial support across the following three funding categories: -Category One: Tools, Equipment, Community Projects & Training to a maximum of $5,000 -Category Two: Building Maintenance & Development to a maximum of $7,500 -Category Three: Health Improvement Activities to a maximum of $5,000 Tools and equipment Community Projects Training Max $5000 Tools & Equipment may include: - Tools and equipment for Shed activities such as wood and metal work, hobbies and crafts, garden activities e.g. Air compressor, power tools, raised garden beds, thicknesser, work benches, welders, leatherwork tools, wood lathe - Shed Health & Safety equipment e.g. PPE, fire extinguisher, safety signage - Specific equipment to develop areas within the Shed e.g. the kitchen and office - microwave, computer, filing cabinet - Dust extraction or air filtration system - Defibrillator - First Aid Kit Community Projects such as: - Hardware and consumables to support participation in community projects such as timber, paint, varnish, garden equipment Building Maintenance & Development Max $7,500 Community projects must benefit the wider community. e.g. wooden toys for a women s shelter, raised garden beds for a retirement village, community beautification projects Costs incurred to deliver skills based training for members such as: - Training for members to mentor youth - Woodcraft skills - First Aid/CPR training - Test and Tag accreditation - Men s Shed Health & Safety courses such as Handling Chemicals - Welding course - Workshop OHS and machinery safety - Furniture making skills - Decorative wrought iron work - Chainsaw operation and maintenance Funding to be used for improvements, modifications or refurbishment to an existing building or space to allow for the operation of the Men s Shed. This may include: - Upgrade or installation of disability access - Dividing walls to provide a safe, quite, dust free area for meetings and social interaction - Connections to services such as power, water, telephone and internet - Solar panels 4 P a g e
Please Note: the building of a new shed or premises is not supported under this Programme. Health Improvement Activities Max $5,000 - Power upgrades to address health and safety - Additional lighting and/or additional power points - Weatherproofing roof or walls - Repair and/or replace toilet facilities - Upgrade or replace unhygienic kitchen-cabinets, bench tops - Enclose outdoor space for additional work area - A container to address storage or lack of work space - Concrete/paved access to address health and safety - Air conditioning - Items to address security such as window grills, locks Assistance with costs incurred for the: - Delivery of a Spanner in the Works? men s health check programme - Delivery and participation in activities that advance health and wellbeing of their male members such as health seminars, health related guest speakers, health information sessions - Registration, transport and accommodation costs to attend health focussed events and education programmes - Planning and delivery of regional Men s Health event - Health resources e.g. books, CD s Please Note: Equipment such as eye wash stations and First Aid Kits, First Aid/CPR training must be requested in Category One: Tools, Equipment, Community Projects & Training Applicants can apply for requests in each Category HOWEVER the maximum funding allocated per Applicant will be capped at $10,000 4. What cannot be funded? Sponsoring bodies cannot request funds to reimburse their organisational expenses - the grant funds are for those expenses incurred directly by the shed project The construction of a Men s Shed A designated co-ordinator Motor vehicles Individual projects requiring ongoing funding from AMSA. The Men s Shed funding is provided for a specific activity/purpose on a one-off basis The purchase of land Repair of facilities damaged by vandalism, fire or other natural disasters where the act is covered by insurance Additional funding for Men s Shed components that has already received substantial funding from Government. Funding is no longer available for promotional and fundraising activities e.g. barbeques, cold storage containers, printing of flyers, and Shed logo shirts and/or hats Help and Support Please email amsa@mensshed.net if you have enquiries about: Recent changes to the NSDP The Application Form and application process Items/services that are eligible for funding 5 P a g e
5. What are the Programme Priorities? The priorities for the NSDP include Men s Sheds that: Have not received funding within a category under previous Rounds of the programme Are located in areas of greatest need Can demonstrate a strong benefit in receiving the funds or a high level of unmet need that the funds will address That can demonstrate membership of and activities for men within the Priority Groups. Please note: applicants that have previously received funding are still eligible to apply. Priority Groups include Men s Sheds that provide activities for: Males living in rural and remote areas Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males Males with a disability and/or mental illness Migrant males Males who are socially disadvantaged and/or isolated Groups from areas where there is a high percentage of males out of work. Defence veterans Men suffering drug and alcohol abuse and Males who need support due to relationship issues 6. Who can Apply? Eligibility To be eligible for the National Shed Development Programme: - An applicant MUST be a registered legal entity - If the Men s Shed is not a registered legal entity, an overseeing sponsor body can act on its behalf and submit an application - If a sponsor body acts as the applicant, written consent must be in place in the form of a signed Memorandum of Understanding or Agreement between the Men s Shed and the applicant body - The MOU document must accompany the application as an attachment. For the purposes of the NSDP, community-based organisations that have a legal entity such as Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, Health Services or any other relevant community-organisation who wishes to establish or improve an existing Men s Shed may apply. 7. When do the Rounds Open? The NSDP offers two funding Rounds per annum. The announcement of the outcomes of a particular Round will trigger the opening of the next Round. All downloadable documents for each Round are placed on the AMSA website www.mensshed.org 6 P a g e
8. How to Apply All documents can be found on the AMSA website www.mensshed.org and include: The Application Form incorporating all Categories Funding Guidelines Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Writing an Application Guide To access the documentation, click on the Funding icon on the Home Page 9. Submitting an Application Applicants are required to: Ensure that all questions and sub sections have been answered on the form- do not provide application responses as an attachment Have the application signed by a person with delegation of authority Include all the required attachments including: If applicable, a Memorandum of Understanding/Agreement between the Men s Shed and the applicant body/organisation Two (2) quotes from suppliers of goods/services to validate amount of funding requested. For Category Two Building Maintenance and Development only, - A proposed site plan - A quote from a qualified professional (if applicable), - Relevant building permits that meet regulatory standards (if applicable) - Information on the ownership of the premises - Written permission/consent from the relevant owner for the proposed improvements. For applicants not insured with AMSA Group Policy, a Copy of the Shed s Public Liability Insurance Certificate of Currency from an APRA approved insurer. Applicants must provide: - One original copy of the completed application - Four (4) copies of the completed application - One (1) only copy of any attachments. Please note: The Application that are not signed by a person with delegated authority, have missing responses or compulsory attachments will be eliminated from the evaluation process. Please do not place applications within a bound folder Applications must be posted. Emailed applications will not be considered. 7 P a g e
Post applications to: Australian Government National Shed Development Programme Australian Men s Shed Association PO Box 793 The Junction NSW 2291 10. Combination Funding Requests Example 1: The original three application forms based on Category have now been eliminated Applicants can include all requests across the three categories onto one Application Form Applicants can apply for a combination of items/services across the three categories to a total maximum of $10,000. Part E: Summary of Round Funding Requests Type of Funding Amount Requested A Tools, Equipment, Community Projects & Training up to $5,000 $ 3,773.00 B Building Maintenance & Development up to $7,500 $4,387.00 C Health Improvement Activities up to $5,000 $1,550.00 Total funding requested $9,710.00 Budgets Item/Service Detailed Description Cost $ Tools & Equipment, Community Projects and Training 1. Thicknesser 15 1HP 240V 1673.00 2. Timber/ consumables-community project Tiny Tots Toy Library 1500.00 3. First Aid training for 4 members 600.00 TOTAL 3773.00 Building Maintenance & Development 1. Materials to weatherproof roof and repair ceiling in work shop 4387.00 TOTAL 4387.00 Health Improvement Activities 1. Costs to cover the transport, registration and accommodation for 3 1550.00 members to attend Men s Health Conference TOTAL 1550.00 Example 2: Part E: Summary of Round Funding Requests Type of Funding Amount Requested A Tools, Equipment, Community Projects & Training up to $5,000 $ 3,338.00 B Building Maintenance & Development up to $7,500 $4,150.00 C Health Improvement Activities up to $5,000 $1,300.00 Total funding requested $8,788.00 8 P a g e
Item/Service Detailed Description Cost $ Tools & Equipment, Community Projects and Training 1. Test and Tag training for members and associated equipment 2800.00 2. Wet and dry 20L workshop Vac 79.00 3. 255mm table saw 459.00 TOTAL 3338.00 Building Maintenance & Development 1. Power upgrade to Shed-new switchboard, lights and extra power 4150.00 points, safety switches TOTAL 4150.00 Health Improvement Activities 1. Promotion, catering and equipment hire for Men s Shed Health Expo 1000.00 for members including seminars, guest speakers, resources 2. Health resources- DVD, books 300.00 TOTAL 1300.00 Example 3: Part E: Summary of Round Funding Requests Type of Funding Amount Requested A Tools, Equipment, Community Projects & Training up to $5,000 0.00 B Building Maintenance & Development up to $7,500 $5,820.00 C Health Improvement Activities up to $5,000 $500.00 Total funding requested $6,320.00 Item/Service Detailed Description Cost $ Tools & Equipment, Community Projects and Training Not applicable TOTAL Building Maintenance & Development 1. Materials to construct and line new internal walls to create separate 5820.00 work spaces and install 15 double power points TOTAL 5820.00 Health Improvement Activities 1. Costs to cover the delivery of a Spanner in the Works? men s 500.00 health check programme for our Shed members- promotion, catering TOTAL 500.00 n/a n/a 9 P a g e
Example 4: Part E: Summary of Round Funding Requests Type of Funding Amount Requested A Tools, Equipment, Community Projects & Training up to $5,000 0.00 B Building Maintenance & Development up to $7,500 0.00 C Health Improvement Activities up to $5,000 $5,000.00 Total funding requested $5,000.00 Item/Service Detailed Description Cost $ Tools & Equipment, Community Projects and Training Not applicable TOTAL Building Maintenance & Development 2. Not applicable n/a TOTAL Health Improvement Activities 2. Costs to cover the delivery of a Spanner in the Works? men s 5000.00 health check programme and regional Men s Shed Health Expo including guest speakers, catering, promotion TOTAL 5000.00 n/a n/a n/a 11. The Evaluation Process The Evaluation of applications is undertaken by an Independent Evaluation Panel and recommendations are forwarded through to the Department of Health and a subsequent Ministerial announcement. Step 1 Coded Identifier & Compliance Check Step 2 Eliminated Applications Step 3 Preparation of Spreadsheet Step 4 Entry of Priority Groups score Calculation of Initial Score and Ranking Step 5 The Evaluation Panel and evaluation process Step 6 Lodgement of Recommendations and announcement of outcomes It is important that, without exception, all applications conform to the Guidelines to ensure that equity and fairness is applied across the application and evaluation processes. It is also equally important that applicants have an understanding of the Evaluation process. 10 P a g e
What is the Application Evaluation Process? Step One On receipt, all applications are grouped into Categories Each application will be allocated a coded identifier.eg BMD/036/R13- this indicates the Application Category, the numerical order in which application was received and the specific Round. Each application is then logged onto a spreadsheet. Step Two All applications undergo a Compliance Check and examined as follows: Post mark- to ensure it has been posted on or before the closing date- those postmarked after the nominated closing date will be eliminated from the evaluation process. ALL sections and questions within the application have been completed in accordance with the Guidelines - partially completed applications will be eliminated from the evaluation process. The Application has been lodged by an organisation that meets the benchmark definition of a Men s Shed and meets certain standards. For non AMSA members, this is determined by responses to Part C i.e. activities provided, responses to definition of a Men s Shed, governance and Risk Management practices. Applications that do not meet the recognised definition and minimum standards will be eliminated from the evaluation process. Activities, services and items requested are eligible for funding under the NSDP Guidelines Applications are signed by a person with delegation of authority. All essential documentation required and listed in the Document Checklist accompanies each application such as quotes. Applications that do not include all required supporting documentation will be eliminated from the evaluation process Exceptions will apply to those applicants who have contacted AMSA prior to the closing date to discuss difficulties with and solutions to complying with provision of two quotes and five copies of the application. Eliminated Applications The Evaluation Panel may eliminate an application from further consideration however the reasons will be documented. e.g. the applicant has not provided all necessary attachments, the application was received after the nominated closing date. However, at the time of preparation of the applicant spreadsheets, applicants may be contacted by AMSA to be given an opportunity to correct an unintentional error which is not material to the submission. e.g. physical address of Men s Shed is not stated. Step Three To verify geographical areas of need and disadvantage, ABS socio economic and demographic data will be embedded onto the spreadsheet for each application and a score allocated. In the event of a large number of applications within a specific category, applicants may be shortlisted based on the ABS socio economic and demographic data score issued. 11 P a g e
Eligible applications will be evaluated by an independent Evaluation Panel as follows: The Application criteria will be based on the priorities set out in the Guidelines as outlined in Section 7: What Men s Shed projects will be given priority? Application selection criteria will be evaluated and allocated a score. In the event that the panel requires further information, they will contact the particular applicant. All applications will be ranked according to their total scores. Funding will be awarded to the highest ranked applications in order of merit under each category. The Evaluation Panel will complete the evaluation and selection process within two months of the nominated Funding Round closing date. Step Four A summary report of Recommended Successful Applicants will be provided to the Department of Health. The Australian Government may announce successful grants by a media release or other communication. AMSA will issue a News Bulletin outlining the successful applicants and the AMSA website will publish the complete list of successful applicants. All applicants, both successful and unsuccessful, will be notified in writing of the outcome within the following month. Please note: the NSDP attracts a large volume of applications however applicants may contact AMSA on amsa@mensshed.net to request a debriefing. 12. Notification of Outcomes A notice will be placed onto the AMSA website A news bulletin will be sent to AMSA members Letters will be sent to all unsuccessful applicants A Letter of Offer will be sent to all successful applicants 13. Successful Applicants Successful applicants will receive a Letter of Offer setting out funding conditions and reporting requirements. AMSA will send all documents to: The applicant s main contact nominated on the application form The postal address or email of the applicant organisation provided on the application. Please ensure that the main contact person nominated is aware of the process. Successful applicants will be required to provide an invoice (including all their banking details for Direct Deposit) to AMSA in order to action the deposit of grant monies. Failure to provide the invoice will delay the distribution of grant funds 14. How to obtain additional information or assistance Contact Liz MacDonald- AMSA Shed Development Manager Email amsa@mensshed.net or Phone 1300 550 009 Visit the AMSA website: www.mensshed.org 12 P a g e