It’s nerve-wracking applying for funding, it’s like a job interview, that, while you get guidance, you don’t always know what the job is, as you’re all applying for funding to do a thing you want to do – you’re not all planning on doing the same thing. How do the panel choose? I don’t know! It can be that your project is great, but just doesn’t fit the criteria as well as someone else – assuming you understood the criteria.
So, first lesson in applying for funding? Read the instructions! Really read them, talk to the funders and find out what their aims are and if your project will meet them.
The Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership team were really good at answering my questions, and making sure I understood what they were looking for. I’m no expert in applying for funding, but I know that talking to the people is a good step!