1. How to Improve the Quality of your Application
The aim of the Inspiring Communities Fund funding scheme is to support high-quality literary events which may not happen otherwise. Demand always exceeds the amount of funding available, meaning not all applications are successful, even if eligible. To help your application, please note that we are particularly looking for events that:
- Are innovative, interesting, and high quality.
This can have a very wide definition, but we are keen to fund organisations that can demonstrate their ability to attract an audience to a well-organised event and programme of suitable writers.
- Fill a gap in provision.
We are keen to see events that take place in areas – or reach audiences – that are historically under-served by literary activity.
- Promote the career and development of the writer(s)
This includes paying your writers fairly, including travel costs and related expenses. You might like to consider whether the writer can sell their books at the event.
- Are representative and inclusive.
We like to see events that are inclusive and representative – ensuring a balance of genders, writers from a wide range of ages, Black, Asian and minority ethnic writers, writers who identify as disabled or have a long-term health condition, writers from low-income backgrounds and writers from the LGBTQ+ community. We of course also expect respect for and representation of the Welsh language.
As well as the consideration of inclusivity when programming the event, we are keen to support events that have taken the access needs of their potential audiences into consideration and have been programmed as inclusively as possible. For example, this might include giving consideration to the time, location, venue, and ticket price of the event, as well as the content.
- Take environmental impact into consideration.
We like to see events where the organisers have thought about the impact the event will have on the environment. For example, you might consider the travel mode/distance for the writer to travel to the event, or whether the chosen venue is accessible by public transport. You might want to live stream the event to audiences who live further afield. Or the content of your event might be relevant to climate change.
- Are likely to appeal to a wide audience.
For example, you should make sure the event includes a writer who appeals to the audience you are trying to reach, and you make use of appropriate marketing channels to actively encourage new audiences.
- Have a positive impact on the audience’s health & well-being.
For example, will the event reduce loneliness in the community by bringing a group together to socialise and experience the joy of literature? Is the subject of the event empowering and will it encourage the audience to use literature to improve their own health and well-being?
- Continue to have an impact after the event.
We like to fund activity that will have a noticeable impact for the future. This could be as simple as a film of the event being available online after the event, or that you’re seeking funding to try a new type of literary activity that you plan to grow an audience for and become financially sustainable in the future.
2. Rates of Pay for Writers
Literature Wales is uniquely placed to observe the current ranges of writers’ fees being agreed between writers and promoters for workshops, readings, and lectures in Wales. These can vary according to the experience of the writer, whether special preparation is involved beforehand, and whether significant amount of time is spent travelling to and from the event.
Literature Wales has published Our Pledge which details expectations of providing fair work for freelancers, including our Fee Guidelines for 2024-25 and we expect organisers of Inspiring Communities Fund events to use these as the basis for their agreements with writers. We ask all event organisers to think carefully about fee offers before engaging writers, and to be open and willing to negotiate with writers.
Please note that we do not seek to ostracize writers who wish to work for free or for lower fees within their communities or for specific events to support a cause or to advance their careers. However, we would expect event organisers to detail why writers’ fees are lower than our guidelines in the application.
Literature Wales will consider applications of up to 75% of writer fees and travel expenses.
We cannot mandate reasonable rates for travel expenses, but through our own work we support the costs of advance train tickets or reimburse mileage at 0.45p per mile. In our projects, we also prioritise local writers, and encourage use of active/public transport, in line with our sustainability action plan.
Literature Wales cannot contribute towards other expenses such as accommodation from the Inspiring Communities Fund funding scheme.
3. Safeguarding
Literature Wales aims to safeguard the welfare of children and vulnerable adults whilst attending or participating in the literary arts. Literature Wales is committed to good practice which protects children and vulnerable adults from harm. In addition, Literature Wales will provide clear guidance to its partners and clients on actions they should take, if they have concerns about the safety of children and vulnerable adults.
Literature Wales has its own in-house Safeguarding Policy and Procedure which we are happy to share to support your organisation developing your own safeguarding procedures.
For the Inspiring Communities Fund organisers must remember that the event belongs to the organisation arranging it and the organisation is responsible for ensuring adequate safeguarding measure are put in place. Literature Wales does not take responsibility for events funded via the scheme.