New Consortium for a new funding stream

New Consortium for a new funding stream...

COEMO is an existing support organisation for the BME sector, in W Yorks.

A potential funding stream, through a Community Cohesion Initiative, became available via the Local Authority; who invited expressions of interest. Various ad hoc VCS partnerships emerged, but the Local Authority wanted a coordinated approach - one "contractor". This was the real 'driver'.

Meetings took place between potential players, the first facilitated by COEMO alone. However, COEMO seemed both the obvious lead organisation, and a potential participant in service delivery. The two roles felt initially incompatible, so an external facilitator was recruited.

Leadership issues emerged, with some member groups adding weight to their input by having associates or "sub partnerships" in train. Issues were addressed by the facilitator in successive meetings: mainly by emphasising mutual obligations/ common objectives.

A potentially contentious issue - financial allocation to each partner - was defused by the whole consortium agreeing draft rates (e.g. £ per hour) for different activities and then delegating to sub groups meeting under each activity heading. Each focussed on what activities member groups could practically offer, so rewards would link to service delivery not financial aspiration.

It was never intended to merge the identity of member groups, or to create a new organisation at present. However, planning joint delivery has had significant implications for individual working practices. A consortium bid was submitted to the Local Authority and the outcome is awaited. Confidential support to individual member groups is planned, so that they can continue to contribute to joint delivery.

What has been learned from the experience?

·  make sure everyone is in the room who can contribute (included funders and non-BME groups)

·  an external facilitator avoided conflicts of interest

·  sometimes contentious issues can be defused by delegating them

·  a clear objective and transparent process increased cooperation and trust

Further information: Mohammed Salam, Chief Executive COEMO salam@coemo.co.uk.