Big Society or X Factor

Over the last couple of days I have had requests from friends involved in community projects asking for me to vote for them in the Royal Bank of Scotland’s community force programme  http://communityforce.rbs.co.uk/about/  I am delighted to vote for them as they are all worthwhile projects making a difference in vulnerable and marginalised people’s lives. It is the principal and the ideology behind the scheme that concerns me. I am certainly not criticising the projects involved, far from it, indeed when we see what public money is spent on in this country such as Trident nuclear defence system there is something quite appalling to see these community building projects constantly struggle for money. I also understand many of the projects have reservations about entering such a scheme which could run the risk of turning into a charitable beauty pageant.

The idea is quite simple. Projects are nominated and grouped into geographical areas. Then in the autumn the public are invited to vote for what appears to be the most deserving within that specific area, only three projects in each area will receive the£6000 award.

First of all funding for community/third sector projects is always something of a lottery. There are several grant awarding bodies who will fund suitable projects based on the project meeting the criteria and aims of the funder. It is precarious way to exist, and personally, despite the economic climate, believe much of that funding could be found from both local and central government, but hey that’s another story.  Competition is inevitable and there will be winners and losers. However flawed that may be at least with trusts and grant awarding bodies there is a sense in which to a degree projects can be compared and contrasted on something approaching a like for like basis.

However community force is simply a popularity contest with little opportunity to consider the merits. Imagine two projects were up for one of the rewards. One was say to build community vegetable gardens in an area which as a poor health record that would provide a supply of low cost fresh vegetables and which will make a difference in the health of the community. The other was to fund a playing area for hospice that treats terminally ill children.  Ok I know emotive, but both are worthwhile projects, both enhance life both can engender a sense of community. But is the most appealing the same as the most deserving?

I’m not making a judgement on these two imaginary projects; simply posing the question how do we make a reasoned choice between two valuable but vastly different projects?

I suspect this idea of people power resonates with the vision of the big society. But actually it worries me for the future of the third sector and charitable organisations.

Firstly it as I’ve said it can become a beauty contest. Where some projects are deemed more worthwhile than others because of emotive reasons. Secondly it further distances  Government from responsibility to empower and resource services. Thirdly it introduces a new level of competition into projects that often would benefit from working together. Fourthly many managers of these projects spend too much time filling out funding applications. With competition for these grants those running projects may spend more and more time advertising and getting there project known instead of developing what their project has set out to do. Finally and perhaps controversially it makes an assumption that a public ballot is the best way to decide how resources are used. Probably it will be a minority who will vote. Do they reflect what the local community want and need?

As I said those involved I know who are looking to win one of these awards are people I respect. This is no reflection on them or the wonderful work of their projects. I think if they want to achieve their goals they have very little option but to take part in this. There is no easy answers to these issues but I don’t think this style of funding will solve anything, and if this is the kind of thing, which I think it may be, that is envisaged by the Big Society  then I fear for the worst.

Advertisement