Participatory Grant-Making: Deciding Together
Encouraging big ideas, changing how things are normally done and putting people from across York in control of how money is allocated.
What is Deciding Together?
Deciding Together is a grant scheme which puts a mix of people from all walks of life together on a panel to decide where funding should go.
Everyone and anyone is invited to lend their voice and opinion, and applications for the money itself are intentionally simple - easy to follow and fill out.
Applicants are encouraged to think long-term and 'dream big', in an attempt to change the systems currently in place.
The glue that sticks this fund together is trust. The usual hierarchical nature of funding relationships is pushed aside, and every successful applicant is given the space they need to reach their goals.
Since the first round of funding ended, we have since created continued to come together within a 'community of practice'. Here, we put what we've learnt so far in to action.
We hope we can increase connections across the city by bringing the funded groups together and develop lasting and meaningful relationships to support for each other.
Everyone is welcome to join us as we continue this work. Please just send us an email to get involved!
The story so far
In 2021 the MCN Network collaborated with Two Ridings Community Foundation to create the fund.
The aim was to provide grants to services within York, helping them respond better to those who experience multiple complex needs.
People from across the city (a mix of those working in services and those with direct experience) were brought together and put in control of £240,000. This amount covered both the design of the funding process (which was done collaboratively) and the grants themselves.
Grants awarded ranged from a £61,000 three-year programme with Generate to engage and better support York’s transgender communities - to funding a £700 community project to improve outdoor space at Tang Hall Community Centre.
Two Ridings Community Foundation continues to support those who've been awarded grants from the Deciding Together Fund.